Newcastle United's 2023/24 Premier League fixtures have been announced with the Magpies facing a tough start. Eddie Howe's side will welcome Aston Villa to St James' Park on the opening weekend, with the game being shown on TV. Newcastle face Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton before the month is out before an easier set of games before November. Then it's clashes against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the space of four weeks.
The season ends with all of the B's... as Burnley, Brighton and Brentford round out the campaign. Will Newcastle be in the hunt for Europe or the title by that point? Here are what we believe to be the five biggest games of next season after glancing at the confirmed fixture list.
19/08/2023 - Manchester City (A)
What a first away game that is... A trip to the treble-winning champions at the Etihad Stadium provides the toughest of starts to the campaign. It's safe to say Newcastle haven't fared too well at that particular venue over the years, like most sides.
But the August 19th clash will likely see a few new faces in Howe's XI, with the north east outfit expected to be busy this summer. A summer spending spree will no doubt boost Newcastle's chances next term and the early trip to Man City will provide a good acid test to see just how close they may be able to get to the big boys this season.
Read more: Newcastle United fixtures in full as Magpies handed tough start in 2023/24 Premier League
04/11/2023 - Arsenal (H)
After a tricky opening quartet of games, the fixtures get a tad easier for Howe's Newcastle in September and October. Sheffield United, Burnley and Crystal Palace are just some of the scheduled meetings before a brutal November.
The Magpies kick off the month with the visit of Arsenal; another good yardstick to mark Newcastle's aspirations. Mikel Arteta's side will be hungry for title glory next term and dispatched Newcastle on Tyneside in April.
Howe will know a lot more about his side's credentials by this point - and a win could act as a major springboard for games with Chelsea, Bournemouth and Manchester United in the weeks that follow.
26/12/2023 - Nottingham Forest (H)
A Boxing Day game at home? Thank the lord! Newcastle, for once, won't be on the road a day after Christmas. A huge game will instead take place at St James' Park as Nottingham Forest arrive in the north east.
Howe's side did the double over Steve Cooper's men in 2022/23 and will be hopeful of a repeat next term. This clash will be huge given it will fall at the mid-point of the campaign, with Newcastle hopefully battling it out at the top end of the table.
Newcastle have Liverpool, Manchester City and Luton Town to play after this St James' Park clash.
20/04/2024 - Manchester United (A)
A trip to Old Trafford marks the countdown to the end of the season. 33 games will have taken place by this point and Newcastle will likely be fighting it out to earn a seat at Europe's top table... all being well!
Manchester United will likely be scrapping it out too and this game could go a long way to determining where both sides finish. Newcastle managed a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in 2022 before beating Erik ten Hag's side at St James' Park.
A packed Old Trafford away end will no doubt be roaring the lads on as they chase a big win.
11/05/2024 - Brighton (H)
The final home game of the season has been a celebration for Newcastle in the previous two seasons... and hopefully that tradition can continue. Howe watched his side end Arsenal's top four hopes in 2021/22 and saw him men qualify for the Champions League with a draw at Leicester last season.
Brighton are the final team to visit St James' Park next season and Newcastle will hopefully have something major to play for by that point. Could we see another famous end of season party under the lights?...
