Tottenham Hotspur Champions League claim made following Newcastle United and Manchester United wins

Leon Osman believes Tottenham Hotspur have ‘ran out of any kind of form’ and will fall short in their bid to qualify for the Champions League.

A lot of focus is on off-field events as Daniel Levy looks to appoint a successor to Antonio Conte after the Italian left the club last month. Now under the temporary control of Cristian Stellini, Spurs are entering a crucial part of the Premier League season as they challenge alongside the likes with Newcastle United and Manchester United for a place among European football’s elite next season.

An underwhelming display in Monday night’s 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Everton was compounded on Wednesday when both of their top-four rivals claimed maximum points from midweek fixtures. A Marcus Rashford goal gave the Red Devils a narrow home win against Brentford and Newcastle opened up a three-point lead on Spurs with a 5-1 demolition of West Ham United at the London Stadium. Another potentially decisive fixture lies in wait on Saturday when Spurs entertain sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, who could move within a point of Stellini’s side with a win in North London.

Former Everton favourite Osman believes the Seagulls have given themselves ‘too much to do’ in the top four race - and also insisted Spurs will come out second best as they look to return to the Champions League once again.

“No I don’t,” he answered when asked if anyone could break into the top four ahead of Newcastle and Manchester United. I think the two teams we have just seen have got a nice little gap emerging at a crucial moment when the run-in truly begins. Spurs have ran out of any kind of form, Brighton have probably given themselves too much to do. Those two (Newcastle and Manchester United) have found momentum so I don’t think it will change too much.”