In the long run I think Manchester City have a better chance at finishing top four ahead of Chelsea. Nottingham Forest are currently enjoying a fine run of form and not looking like they will slip up at any moment but if eventually something crazy happens then maybe Chelsea have a chance to catch up and replace Nottingham Forest in top four but until that happens, it’s still Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in top four.
I agree, now City will be able to rest more, since they are left without the Champions League, and we will see the team that we saw at the beginning of the season, when they could beat any opponent. Moreover, Guardiola will now make changes and they will sell some players, this should also create competition for a place in the starting lineup, which should also have a good effect on the results. City must get into the top 4, for them this is a mandatory condition for the end of this season.
Maybe they won't win any title this season with the performance that Manchester City is doing this season but even if they don't win the title they need to perform well in the Premier League to play in the Champions League next season. Basically, if Manchester City can't finish this season from 1 to 4 in the points table in the Premier League, then they won't be able to play in the Champions League. If a team like Manchester City can't play in the Champions League, it will certainly be a failure for the team as well as a matter of disappointment for Manchester City fans, so Manchester City will at least want to be between one and four in the points table. Although Manchester City has not been very successful in recent matches against the opposition, but by making some changes in tactics and changing the players' positions, if Manchester City enters the field in the upcoming matches, maybe some changes can be seen from the team.