Ray Wilkins predicts where Chelsea FC will finish this season

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte Photo: Screen grab

Ray Wilkins believes Chelsea FC will miss out on the top four unless the title holders beat Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC.

The defending Premier League champions are in fifth place in the table and five points behind Spurs with eight games to go in the top-four race.

Chelsea FC could miss out on a spot in the Champions League next season which would be unthinkable given their comfortable title success last term.

The west London side have the chance to reduce Tottenham’s advantage to two points if Antonio Conte’s side manage to beat Spurs at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Tottenham will be without their leading goal-scorer Harry Kane due to an ankle problem in a major blow to their hopes of securing a long-awaited win at Chelsea FC.

Chelsea FC will host Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 5 May in what could be a vital game in the top-four race.

Former Blues assistant manager Wilkins warned Conte and his Chelsea FC squad that they can ill-afford any more mishaps in the remaining months of the season.

“Chelsea have to win,” Wilkins told Sky Sports. “They have to beat Tottenham, they also have to beat Liverpool and hope that results in the future go their way.”

Asked if Chelsea could still finish in top four if the Blues draw with Spurs, Wilkins said: “No, I don’t think there is. I think the gap’s too big.

“The only salvation is the semi-final of the FA Cup, of course.”

Chelsea FC have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons under Jose Mourinho and then Conte.

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