Former Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has exclusively told Sports Mole his prediction for which of his former clubs he thinks will finish in the top four of the Premier League table,
During the first half of the campaign, there were times when both Chelsea and Man City appeared genuine contenders for the top-flight title, the latter on a quest to win their fifth successive crown.
However, the form of both teams has dropped off to such an extent where Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola would be delighted with a fourth-placed finish or above to guarantee Champions League football for 2025-26.
While Chelsea have accumulated just nine points from their last eight Premier League fixtures, Man City have only collected 18 points from their most recent 15 such games.
The current scenario sees Chelsea - who are in fourth - hold a two-point advantage over Man City with 14 matches remaining, there still a realistic possibility that fifth spot could be good enough for a seat at European football's top table next season.
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Who does Wright-Phillips favour?
Wright-Phillips has his loyalties to both clubs having made a combined total of 398 appearances for Chelsea and Man City between 1999 and 2011.
That said, the ex-winger suggests that Nottingham Forest are favourites to finish in the top four, the division's surprise package holding a six-point advantage over City with a far less congested schedule between now and the end of May.
Wright-Phillips said: "You can't be disrespectful to Forest. I think the way they play suits all of their players, but it's also so effective against any team they come up against. They've had one game blitz at best, whereas a few teams normally go on a few games or more.
"They just have one game where they might not be at it, or there's a lot more spaces than there normally is. And then the next game, it just kind of is so far, it's clicked back into gear. And we've seen that just over the weekend.
"So you can't be disrespectful to Forest. But in Premier League terms, there's still a long way to go and a lot can change. So if they keep that form up, there's no reason why they shouldn't be in it."
Despite that view, Wright-Phillips is still of the opinion that City will eventually edge out Chelsea, hinting that the inconsistency of Maresca's side will prove pivotal.
He added: "I still think City get into it. I think it's one space that personally will be fought over. And that will be maybe at the minute, as it looks, it's between City and Chelsea. But like I said, it takes the best part of three games.
"You can draw three games and be out of Champions League places the way the league is at the minute. So there's still such a long way to go."
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Could upcoming schedule be decisive?
With Chelsea facing Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night, they have a chance to move five points clear of City prior to Guardiola's side hosting Newcastle United.
City also face the second leg of their tie with Real Madrid in the Champions League and Premier League fixtures with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the month.
At the same time, Chelsea travel to Aston Villa and play host to bottom-placed Southampton, while also not resuming Conference League action until next month.
If Chelsea are to finish above City come the end of the campaign, there is an argument that their best opportunity to establish a sizeable lead is between now and the start of March.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of Betano.
Darren Plant
