Newcastle are in contention for Champions League football this term with the remaining eight games integral to their overall success.
However, their hopes of a top four finish took a hit as they were comprehensively beaten by Aston Villa on Saturday, with two goals from Ollie Watkins and another from Jacob Ramsey boosting the Villans’ own European aspirations.
With some huge games coming up before the season ends, manager Eddie Howe has to ensure his side bounce back and get points on the board as soon as possible.
With all teams entering crunch time, here’s what fixtures are on the horizon for Newcastle.
Both teams are gunning for the top four spots and so this contest will leave nothing to be desired, though Newcastle won the season’s earlier meeting.
The Magpies have only lost one game on home turf this campaign, but Cristian Stellini will be hoping to spoil the party with a team who haven’t lost in six games in all competitions. It remains to be seen if Tottenham’s interim boss can conquer in Tyneside.
A contest of two tales – Eddie Howe’s unexpected European push and Sean Dyche’s crucial battle in charge of relegation-threatened Everton.
Dyche boasts a mere one win in his seven last domestic outings, giving Howe a glimmer of hope that three points are on the table. Everton are currently safe but level on points with Nottingham Forest, who sit in the relegation spots.
Dyche has his work cut out for him, especially against a defensively sound Newcastle side. One thing is for certain, though; former Everton wide man Anthony Gordon will want to stamp his authority on the game.
Newcastle have accrued three wins over Southampton this term, scoring seven and conceding just two. The luck is currently with Newcastle whose last loss came against Manchester City in early March.
Ruben Selles will be praying that fourth time’s the charm when the south Coast side travel away to Newcastle in order to avoid relegation to England’s second division.
Newcastle are among the teams capable of causing an upset as they welcome Mikel Arteta’s high flying Arsenal outfit. The league leaders are unbeaten in ten, but have crashed out of the Europa League in that sequence of impressive form.
Held to a disrupting 0-0 draw earlier in the season, the Gunners will have fear struck into them with the possibility of their title aspirations coming crashing down at the feet of Howe and his entourage.
The return fixture came out goalless, but now the two are on opposite sides of the chain, with Leeds sat in 16th place following the departure of Jesse Marsch and the appointment of Spaniard Javi Garcia.
With just two wins in their last seven domestic fixtures, this contest swings in the favour of third-placed Newcastle, but in a meeting that typically is determined by the odd goal, Leeds will be optimistic they can get a crucial result at Elland Road.
Leicester have endured an underwhelming season by their own standards, and their recent record against Newcastle gives for dismal viewing.
Winless in three meetings with just one goal to show, newly appointed Dean Smith will rely on the brilliance of James Maddison if his side are to get anything from the tie.
Credit: 90min.com
