BBC Sport pundit predicts which three of five clubs will get Champions League today | OneFootball

This BBC Sport pundit has been discussing Newcastle United and the other Champions League hopefuls.

Today sees the final round of Premier League matches played out.

With Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Newcastle facing Everton at St James’ Park, as well as the three games elsewhere that feature the other four clubs hoping to finish top five.

Newcastle United having played forty seven matches in total (all competitions) so far this season.

Twenty nine wins, six draws and twelve defeats.

Now set to face Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Sutton speaking to BBC Sport ahead of Newcastle v Everton:

“Newcastle are at home, and their superior goal difference means they know any sort of win will keep them in the Champions League places regardless of what Aston Villa do.

“I usually fancy Eddie Howe’s side to win when they are at St James’ Park but there are serious doubts over Alexander Isak’s fitness which is a real worry. I would have a different feeling if he was in the team.

“On top of that, Everton are an awkward team to break down, who also carry an attacking threat with Beto in such good form.

“So, I don’t think this will be straightforward at all.

“I am still backing the Magpies, but I would not be surprised if Everton nicked a point.

“Prediction: Newcastle 2 Everton 0”

Newcastle United have won their last six Premier League matches played at St James’ Park, scoring 20 goals. Five of those 20 goals scored by Alexander Isak but the other 15 scored by others.

Alexander Isak was playing in the most recent home match but it was 2-0 against Chelsea thanks to Tonali and Bruno goals.

In the last four NUFC matches at St James’ Park, Eddie Howe’s side have scored 14 goals and conceded only one.

Against an Everton team with nothing to play for and missing both first choice central defenders now, who almost certainly have been their best players this season overall.

Obviously we all hope that Alexander Isak is ok to start today but having just checked, whilst the striker has scored 12 PL goals at SJP this season, 28 goals have come from other players. Only Man City (43) and Liverpool (41) have scored more home PL goals this season than Newcastle’s 40 at St James’ Park.

Indeed, Everton have only scored 41 PL goals in total home AND away, just the one more in 37 games than Newcastle have scored in 18 PL home matches.

Eddie Howe will have United pressing from the first whistle and looking to get the first goal as soon as possible to set them on their way.

Everton have got their boxes already ticked, avoiding relegation and winning their very final game at Goodison Park.

Whereas Newcastle United have that massive final box left to tick, adding Champions League to a first trophy in 56 years.

When it comes to the other Champions League contenders, the BBC Sport pundit predicts these results on Sunday:

Fulham 1 Man City 2

Man U 1 Villa 2

Forest 1 Chelsea 1

If the BBC Sport pundit predictions come true, this is how the final 2024/25 Premier League table would look, positions third to seventh:

71 Man City (Goal Difference +27)

69 Newcastle United (GD +24)

69 Aston Villa (GD +10)

67 Chelsea (GD +20)

66 Forest (GD +13)

So, the BBC Sport pundit predicting that Man City, Newcastle United and Villa will be the three grabbing Champions League places, with Forest and Chelsea missing out.

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