John Terry is still backing Chelsea to finish in fourth ahead of Spurs and Manchester United despite a recent run of poor results.
The Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat to United on Monday night blowing the top four race wide open. Spurs are now only a single point behind Frank Lampard's side while United closed the gap to three.
Surprise package Sheffield United are in sixth and only two points off fourth themselves.
It's possible that finishing fifth in the Premier League may also qualify a team for the Champions League after Man City's two-year ban from the competition was confirmed. But with City launching an appeal and no official confirmation from UEFA or the Premier League it's not a route teams should rely upon.
In any case, Terry is backing Chelsea to clinch fourth and play Champions League football once more next season.
"It begins with Spurs at the weekend at home," he said as quoted by the Metro. "It’s the perfect game to come and respond if you are a Chelsea supporter or player. They are probably our biggest rivals, a local derby.
"Stamford Bridge will be rocking it’s a big opportunity for players to go and show what this fixture means, show they want to fight for the shirt.
"It’s an opportunity for certain individuals, maybe there will be a few changes from tonight’s game.
"It will be tough, I just think Spurs and Man United have had a couple of good results and I think Chelsea are on the decline slightly.
"But I think they have another gear to go to and I think Chelsea will secure that fourth spot."
