Liverpool coast as Forest lead charge of outsiders for European spots

LONDON : Liverpool will likely move a provisional 16 points clear atop the Premier League on Saturday but while the title race looks like a procession the battle below them for European qualifying places is coming to the boil led by Nottingham Forest.

Six points separate third-placed Forest and Aston Villa in 10th, while even the likes of Brentford and Crystal Palace, who are 11th and 12th, have not given up hope of playing in Europe.

With England's top five almost certainly earning automatic Champions League qualification next season thanks to the Premier League's favourable UEFA coefficient, the door is wide open.

Forest have not featured in Europe's elite club competition since 1981 but coach Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed them from relegation battlers into genuine top-four contenders.

They host fourth-placed reigning champions Manchester City in Saturday's early fixture with one point separating the sides - a scenario beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic Forest fan back in August.

However, with Nuno's team taking only one point - a hard-fought 0-0 draw with second-placed Arsenal - from their last three league games, some are predicting that Forest, who have 48 points after 27 games, will not sustain their challenge.

A home match against City offers the perfect opportunity to avenge their 3-0 defeat at The Etihad in December and silence the doubters.

Fifth-placed Chelsea on 46 points have struggled to sustain their top-four hopes since the back end of last year, winning only three of their last 11 league games.

A 4-0 home win against bottom club Southampton last time out steadied the ship and Enzo Maresca's side will seek to gain some momentum as they host struggling Leicester City on Sunday.

NEWCASTLE