Saturday 9 April 2016 09:51, UK
We challenged Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas to predict how the battle for the fourth Champions League qualification place will play out.
The Soccer Saturday pundit and Arsenal legend expects Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal all to comfortably qualify, but feels it is beyond Stoke, Southampton and Liverpool.
Starting with his Sky Bet tips for this weekend, here's how Charlie expects Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham to get on in their final seven games...
April 9: West Ham v Arsenal - This is a game that I've had down for some while as a must-win to keep Arsenal in the title race and it's a similar case for the Hammers' top-four aspirations. Dimitri Payet and co. seem to relish these games but, perhaps with my heart ruling my head, I'm going for Arsenal to edge it. Charlie predicts: West Ham lose
Manchester City v West Brom - It was a big effort against PSG in midweek so I'd expect City to stumble over the line here rather than hand out a hammering. Charlie predicts: Man City win
April 10: Tottenham v Manchester United - Tottenham will be feeling the pressure but I think they've got too much quality and will get the three points on Super Sunday. Charlie predicts: Man Utd lose
April 16: Manchester United v Aston Villa - The most straight-forward of fixtures for United and they certainly don't deserve to be playing in Champions League if they can't beat this Villa side. Charlie predicts: Man Utd win
Chelsea v Manchester City - The toughest test for City but I'd expect them to get a draw with Chelsea having even less to play for in the league now. Charlie predicts: Draw
April 17: Leicester v West Ham - We know West Ham relish these big game and they'll enjoy going to Leicester with all eyes on Claudio Ranieri's men holding their nerve. Charlie predicts: Draw
April 19: Newcastle v Manchester City - Newcastle could be all but relegated by this stage if Norwich continue to pick up points and you'd expect City to win this one comfortably. Charlie predicts: Man City win
April 20: West Ham v Watford - The gap is starting to grow and West Ham simply have to win games like these if they are genuine top-four contenders. Charlie predicts: West Ham win
Manchester United v Crystal Palace - The same goes for United and they'll be hoping that Palace are safe now as they've shown how poor they can be when there's little to play for. Charlie predicts: Man Utd win
April 24: Manchester City v Stoke - With West Ham and Manchester United scheduled for FA Cup action, City have their chance to move clear and I'd expect them to do so with home advantage. Charlie predicts: Man City win
April 30: West Brom v West Ham - It's looking an increasingly big ask for the Hammers but I could see them gaining some ground here. Charlie predicts: West Ham win
May 1: Manchester United v Leicester - Leicester will come here desperate for the points and the way they're both struggling for goals I think we'll have a draw. Charlie predicts: Draw
Southampton v Manchester City - It depends which Southampton side turns up but they've certainly got the quality to make it difficult for City. Charlie predicts: Draw
May 7: Norwich v Manchester United - United have the chance to put some pressure on City here and they will be hoping Norwich are safe, as the Canaries turned them over at Old Trafford. Charlie predicts: Draw
West Ham v Swansea - It's that stage of the season where you'd rather be facing a side safely in mid-table than in a relegation scrap and the Swans will certainly be the former. Charlie predicts: West Ham win
May 8: Manchester City v Arsenal - This could be a huge game if Leicester have imploded but I'd imagine this will be more of a case of battling for third spot. Charlie predicts: Draw
May 10: West Ham v Manchester United - This could be a make-or-break game for the top-four aspirations of both teams, and I could see them having to settle for a result which suits neither. Charlie predicts: Draw
May 15: Swansea v Manchester City - Well if I've got my previous predictions all correct, not only will I be a very rich man, Manchester City will just need to win in Swansea to secure fourth spot. I'd expect them to do so with the Swans having little more than pride to play for. Charlie predicts: Man City win
Manchester United v Bournemouth - If United have failed to qualify for the Champions League then you'd imagine there will be a fair bit of frustration around Old Trafford and call for Louis van Gaal's head. Those Jose Mourinho scarves might see an upturn in sales as well! Charlie predicts: Man Utd win
Stoke v West Ham - This would be a horrible fixture to have as your must-win to qualify for the Champions League and this Stoke side would have no interest in rolling over, especially as they look like they'll be setting another Premier League points total club record. Charlie predicts: Draw
CHARLIE'S CALL: Manchester City finish fourth with Manchester United taking a Europa League spot.
