Antonio Conte believes Manchester United have all but secured a top-three finish in the Premier League, while he has backed Chelsea to mount a surprise challenge for the remaining top-four place.
With Arsenal and Manchester City involved in a thrilling title race and Man United continuing to impress under Erik ten Hag, Tottenham boss Conte feels there is only one Champions League spot up for grabs.
Spurs currently occupy the final top-four position and moved six points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool on Saturday after beating Nottingham Forest 3-1, shortly after Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock defeat to Bournemouth.
Newcastle United are seven points behind Tottenham with two games in hand, while Brighton would move level with Spurs if they won their three games in hand.
The challengers are certainly piling up at the business end of the season and Conte believes Chelsea should also be in the top-four conversation following their revival under Graham Potter.
The Blues have endured a dismal season but secured their third win in a row on Saturday to stay 11 points behind Tottenham with a game in hand.
‘We know very well the race for a place in Champions League will be really, really tough. You see the competitors,’ Conte said after Spurs beat Forest thanks to Harry Kane’s double and a Son Heung-min goal.
‘You see there are many, many teams involved and I think in this moment there is only one place available because Man City and Arsenal are fighting to win the Premier League and Man United I think are showing they have great continuity of good results.
‘I think there is one place and there are many teams, many important teams that are in this race.
‘We have to try to do our best and for sure I repeat for us to finish in the top four is like to win the Premier League. It happen last season and I spoke about miracle.
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