- Newcastle United set eyes on European qualification
- Chelsea, Sunderland and Everton part of mid-table melee
- Magpies fixtures compared to rivals
It is no secret that Newcastle United face an uphill battle if they are to secure European football ahead of next season. Eddie Howe’s men currently sit in 12th with a six-point gap to Chelsea, who are in 6th.
The issue for the Magpies all season has been consistency. Three points one week followed by none the next is not a sustainable trajectory.
It isn’t just the Magpies who face a battle. The gap separating 5th-placed Liverpool and 13th-placed Bournemouth is merely seven points with seven games to go.
With a bunch of permutations around which places qualify for the different European competitions still to be figured out, this run-in is perhaps as tight as it has ever been in the Premier League.
With a plethora of sides still vying for those coveted positions, let’s take a look at Newcastle United’s upcoming run of fixtures and compare it to the main rivals they are scrapping against.
For the purpose of this article, we are going to focus on Chelsea, Sunderland and Everton. Essentially, the three involved clubs the Magpies most need to outperform between now and May.
The run-in fixtures
Newcastle United
Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H), Arsenal (A), Brighton (H), Nottm Forest (A).
Chelsea
Man City (H), Man Utd (H), Brighton (A), Nottm Forest (H), Liverpool (A).
Sunderland
Tottenham Hotspur (A), Aston Villa (H), Nottm Forest (A), Wolves (A), Man Utd (H).
Everton
Brentford (A), Liverpool (H), West Ham (A), Man City (H), Crystal Palace (A).
Newcastle United fixtures analysed
Newcastle United perhaps have the best set of fixtures among those challenging.
Referencing the Premier League table, the Magpies only play two sides who reside in the top half at the current moment.
Despite that, there are some tricky clashes in there. Of course, the away game against Arsenal is the most testing challenge, especially given they are currently embroiled in a title battle and can’t afford to slip up.
There are also two games against Forest and West Ham, respectively, that could be tricky. Both of the mentioned teams are currently fighting against the looming abyss of relegation.
The Magpies will have to be on top form to avoid being overcome by the desperation and chaos of those fighting for their lives.
Add to that games against those around them in Fulham, Bournemouth and Brighton, which are all must-win affairs, and the Tyneside outfit’s run-in is perhaps not quite as straightforward as it first appears.
Still, if you gave Newcastle fans this run-in with a chance of European football awaiting in August, most would have been certain they would secure another adventure.
Chelsea fixtures analysed
Chelsea’s race to the finish begins in rather torrid fashion. Back-to-back games against the two Manchester clubs, who both have a lot to play for between now and the end of the season.
In fact, none of the Blues’ games are particularly reassuring. Spurs and Forest, who are both in a relegation battle, travel to Stamford Bridge. Rosenior’s men will expect six points in those home games, but they could prove tricky.
Three rather dismal away games against Brighton, who are still in European contention, Liverpool at Anfield and Sunderland on the final day, which could be a decider, make up their run-in.
Chelsea will fancy their chances of a steady run that maintains their top-six position. Rosenior will be keeping his fingers crossed that no silly business occurs, with the manager already under pressure by some given recent inconsistencies.
Sunderland’s fixtures analysed
Had you told a Newcastle fan they’d be scrapping with their arch rivals for the European spots before the season, they’d have likely laughed. But to the dismay of every Geordie, the Black Cats are currently above the Magpies and well in with a shout.
Their run in follows largely the same pattern as those mentioned so far, with two relegation battlers in Spurs and Forest sandwiching a difficult visit from Champions League chasers Aston Villa.
An away trip to Wolves marks the best chance of a guaranteed three points for Sunderland, but it is followed by a final three of Man Utd and European rivals Everton and Chelsea, which gives them a rather nervy finish to the season.
Everton fixtures analysed
Everton have two tricky days to open their run-in. A trip to Brentford feels like it could be decisive, and a home derby against Liverpool is a chance to get at their local rivals given the Reds’ poor form.
Winnable away games against West Ham and Crystal Palace are split by a home game against Pep’s imperious City. Sunderland follow for Moyes’ men in another one which could have massive implications for the European spots.
A final day trip to Spurs could be one to watch, given both sides could well have future-altering fates yet to be decided.
In other news, Newcastle United fans slammed by Roy Hodgson for actions after Sunderland defeat.
