After last week’s dismal showing against Ipswich, losing 3-1 at Portman Road, many thought that the pressure would be cranked up on Newcastle in the race for the final automatic promotion place.
Since that defeat, results have gone their way. Huddersfield only managed a draw against Derby that evening, and then last weekend they suffered their fourth defeat in their last seven games when they lost to Fulham, while Reading were also on the losing end.
So that’s left us with this situation: given their far superior goal difference, Newcastle cannot be caught by Reading and need just two points from their last three games to secure promotion (barring a mathematical miracle).
Effectively, one more win will see Newcastle promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and next up for the Toon Army is the visit of Preston who have little to play for in the final weeks of the season.
How will they line-up? Here’s our predicted XI.
