Things are heating up in the race to secure Champions League football and Nottingham Forest don’t appear to be going away.
Three wins from the last four matches have given the Reds a great chance, but a defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday has led to the nerves beginning to jangle once again.
Aston Villa beating Forest propels them back into the race for a top-five finish, with Newcastle winning last night and still holding a game in hand on the Reds.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 31 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 72 | 30 | 42 | 73 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 31 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 56 | 26 | 30 | 62 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 31 | 17 | 6 | 8 | 51 | 37 | 14 | 57 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 31 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 54 | 37 | 17 | 53 |
| 5 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 52 | 39 | 13 | 53 |
Manchester City and Chelsea dropped points at the weekend and in fairness, it wasn’t a bad weekend for the Reds at all.
Naturally, with just seven games left, pundits have started to make their predictions on who will claim the Champions League places, with Craig Bellamy now having his say.
Neco Williams won’t like Craig Bellamy’s prediction
It will be beneficial for Wales boss Bellamy if Williams is playing in the Champions League for Forest next season.
However, Bellamy holds reservations about whether Forest will make it, believing three other teams have the edge over Forest.
He told Monday Night Football: “I know it’s top five. Newcastle, based on what we’ve seen tonight and the momentum of just winning their first cup for a number of years. I’ve got a feeling for them.
“Manchester City, they’re usually in this hunt in these situations, it’s not uncommon at this stage.
“And I think Villa. I’ve got a funny feeling about them with the Champions League, you know. Honestly, I think of all the British teams, they’ve got the best chance.
“Look, we’d all like to see Forest, we all have a soft spot for Forest, I grew up in the eighties with Brian Clough and Forest is a special club for all of us. Would it be a great story for them? Of course it would, but my feeling is for Newcastle, Villa and Man City.”
Williams might not be happy to see Bellamy dismiss Forest in such a fashion and he will be hoping that he can feel very smug when reporting for international duty in June.
Forest still being dismissed despite wonderful season
It’s quite remarkable that people still refuse to take Forest seriously despite the season that the club has had so far.
Okay, City have been in the mix before but Villa still have City and Newcastle left to play this season, with their fixtures considerably more difficult than Forest’s.
Gary Lineker thinks Forest will make it, barring a capitulation and although injuries are stacking up, the run-in is favourable for the Reds.
Bellamy did find time to praise Forest, but it’s a mystery why these pundits don’t believe Forest have the minerals, despite what has been achieved so far this season.
Espirito Santo might be wise to pin comments of this nature on the dressing room wall before a visit from Everton at the weekend.
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