The Premier League’s all time top scorer Alan Shearer has given his verdict regarding Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi’s Nottingham Forest’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Footynaija.com reports.
Forest are currently third on the Premier League standings with 60 points after an absolutely fantastic season so far. However, they find themselves embroiled in one of the fiercest battles for Champions League qualification in recent PL history.
With five games left to play for one of the five available UCL slots, just three points separate them from seventh placed Aston Villa as Newcastle United, Manchester City and Chelsea occupy fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.
As the competition for a right to rub shoulders with Europe’s elite thickens, Shearer, who wrote his name in Premier League folklore as the all time top scorer (260 goals), has given his thoughts on Nottingham Forest’s chances.
“It is hard enough to predict results in the Premier League anyway, but at this stage of the season, it is even more difficult,” he said as per Nottingham Post.
“Looking at each club’s remaining games now doesn’t really help in deciding what might happen, because some of the teams they face may have different priorities, or nothing to play for full-stop.
“It’s the same for anyone who plays Manchester United and Tottenham before the end of the season, too, because the Europa League is their priority now.
“Right now, my guess would be that maybe Chelsea and Forest will be the teams who miss out – but that situation could change very quickly.”
It appears that the Tricky Trees remain underdogs in the ongoing battle for UCL qualification despite their undeniable brilliance throughout the season.
Regardless of Shearer’s stance, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men will be looking to maintain absolute focus in these final games of the season and fight until the end to bring Champions League football back to The City Ground.