Jamie Carragher makes exciting prediction Newcastle…

Jamie Carragher makes exciting prediction Newcastle will love as he names Spurs' 'big problem'

Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle United are 'pulling away' from their top-four rivals in the race for Champions League football next season. The Sky Sports pundit made the claim as he assessed Tottenham's recent struggles following their defeat at Manchester City on Thursday night.

The result at the Etihad Stadium means Eddie Howe's side could open up an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Tottenham with a victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening. The prospect of a swift return to third spot is also on the cards, with Manchester United travellng to league leaders Arsenal the following day.

Tottenham temporarily threatened to close the gap to the Magpies, striking twice before half-time to take a two-goal lead into the break against Pep Guardiola's side. However, the defending Premier League champions swiftly overturned this deficit en route to recording a 4-2 victory, and Carragher predicted a loss for the visitors could see them cut adrift in the top-four race.

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Carragher told Sky Sports: "It’s not make-or-break in terms of the top four, there’s a little bit of a gap. I think if Spurs lose tonight it almost feels like those top four teams are pulling away from the pack but there’s a long way to go. For Manchester City, I don’t think they can afford to drop any points tonight."

Antonio Conte's side have won just once in their last five Premier League matches, and face a tricky trip to in-form Fulham before the reverse league encounter with City. Chelsea and Liverpool sit even further back in the top-four race, and Carragher believes the misfortunes at Stamford Bridge and Anfield have helped mask Tottenham's indifferent form this season.

The pundit said: "I think they’re quite fortunate to be in fifth position and I’ll tell you why, I don’t think anyone would have envisaged Chelsea and Liverpool being so bad this season really. You look at the teams above them, there’s a little bit of a gap to the top four, and to be fair Tottenham’s aim over the last 10 years as a football club has been getting into the top four, maybe not going for the Premier League.

"The big problem for them this season is Arsenal, they finished above Arsenal last season and even Manchester United were so poor last season. I know they spent a lot of money in the summer, so did Arsenal, but Tottenham brought a fair few players in as well and I think the gap between those two teams and Tottenham now is a problem for them, considering where they were last season.

"The team’s record against the other top teams this season is awful. They’ve played seven games this season against what I would call the top four now, plus Liverpool and Chelsea, they’ve lost six and drew one, and the one they drew they scored in the last minute at Stamford Bridge"

Jamie Carragher makes exciting prediction Newcastle will love as he names Spurs' 'big problem'

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