Newcastle United return from the international break knowing that the race for a top 4 finish is very much in their hands. With two games in hand on Tottenham in fourth, Eddie Howe's Magpies stand an excellent chance of securing Champions League football for next season.
United face three of the teams - Brighton, Brentford, and Tottenham - deemed to be in the race for that fourth spot, and also clash with Manchester United this coming Sunday. Yet Howe will know his squad have nothing to fear - especially given the fact they've already faced those four teams already this season in the Premier League and didn't lose a single game.
That said, Howe won't be resting on his laurels and will know that the challenge to secure top 4 football will be one of the biggest of his career. While Howe takes it one game at a time, we've launched our league table predictor to see how the season will end.
We've got our team of writers to share their table and explain just how they got to that conclusion. You can also take part by filling in the widget below and joining the conversation in the comments...
LEE RYDER - CHIEF NEWCASTLE UNITED WRITER
- Manchester City - 94 points
- Arsenal - 88 points
- Man United - 78 points
- Tottenham - 72 points
- Liverpool - 72 points
- Newcastle United - 72 points
"I've done this three times now and at the third attempt, I've managed to get Newcastle, Liverpool and Spurs all level on 72 points with the Magpies finishing sixth. "The two times before I also had Newcastle in sixth place after approaching the result of each game trying to look at what I see as the balance of probability.
"I don't see Newcastle having issues in a clutch of home games against the likes of Brighton, Leicester and Southampton but the Arsenal, Man U and Spurs games are really tough, even then I had them down for a trio of draws!
"It's probably the final game of the season at Chelsea that will be the crucial factor, and I had that one down as a defeat based on Newcastle's horrendous record there and the fact I think Chelsea might be fighting for a Europa Conference League slot.
"Time will tell of course, and you just never know with Spurs and Liverpool, they may slip up elsewhere.
"You'd love to think it could be plain sailing but it could also be agony!"
AARON STOKES - NEWCASTLE UNITED EDITOR
- Arsenal - 92 points
- Manchester City - 91 points
- Man United - 73 points
- Newcastle United - 72 points
- Tottenham - 65 points
"Newcastle United now have a key run of fixtures with April set to define the Magpies' stellar season so far. The visit of Manchester United to St James' Park and the trip down to the capital to face Tottenham will go a long way to deciding where Eddie Howe's side finish come May. Elsewhere, those two sides face each other next month with Newcastle fans set to watch on with intrigue.
"Liverpool's Champions League dreams could be extinguished in a few weeks time after facing Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal consecutively at the start of the month, while Brighton could launch a late push for the top four despite some tricky clashes ahead. Fortunately for Newcastle, the Seagulls must still play five of the 'Big Six' and Howe's side before the end of the season."
ANDREW MUSGROVE - EVERYTHING IS B&W PODCAST HOST
- Arsenal - 96 points
- Manchester City - 92 points
- Man United - 84 points
- Newcastle United - 74 points
- Liverpool - 67 points
"It still feels like a dream that we're talking about Newcastle United fighting it out for a top 4 finish - and with two games in hand, it being very much in their own hands. They're chasing down Tottenham who are a club in a chaotic mess but when it comes to securing Champions League football, Toon manager Eddie Howe will only be concentrating on what he can control.
"There are some tough games to come for Newcastle - but I've got them picking up a draw against sides around them like Tottenham and Manchester United and victories against Brighton and Brentford who aren't too far behind.
In truth, I've only got Newcastle losing once more this season - and that's to Arsenal. I feel they will drop further points to Aston Villa but they're in a good place with nearly a full squad for Howe to choose from and I can't see too many teams getting the better of them.
"I've got Newcastle securing 4th, seven points ahead of Liverpool in 5th. It might seem optimistic but with Newcastle looking back to their best plus Liverpool's inconsistency, and Spurs' off-the-field woes, I'm hoping it all rolls into a very good ending for United."
JOHN GIBSON - NEWCASTLE UNITED COLUMNIST
- Arsenal - 91 points
- Man City - 88 points
- Man United - 74 points
- Newcastle United - 69 points
- Brighton - 64 points
"I feel that it's a battle between the top two for the title with Man U tucking in behind. Then it is who gets the coveted fourth place and I've got Newcastle doing it on the back of a great home record and being desperately difficult to beat. It's only happened three times so far in 26 matches.
"Of course, there are the great imponderables like injuries to key players but also how Spurs will fare under a caretaker manager and in the chasing pack whether two old Newcastle center-forwards receive long bans - Mitrovic for pushing the ref and Toney for betting accusations.
"It is in United's own hands with games to come against the likes of Man U, Spurs, Chelsea, and Arsenal, who are around them. They are the key. Newcastle deserve to cap an unbelievable season and I think they will just do it."
CHRIS KNIGHT - U21 NEWCASTLE REPORTER
- Man City- 94 points
- Arsenal - 93 points
- Man United - 82 points
- Newcastle United - 71 points
- Liverpool - 70 points
"By the skin of their teeth, I have Newcastle holding on to fourth spot. Liverpool and Brighton push them close, but my predictions do not have Howe's side to lose more than two matches in the remainder of the campaign.
"Home encounters against top-four rivals Brighton, Manchester United, and Tottenham will obviously prove pivotal in determining the Magpies' fate. However, the run of three consecutive away days at West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa at the beginning of next month will go a long way to shaping the Magpies' outlook.
"Back-to-back victories over Wolves and Nottingham Forest before the international break has reinvigorated the top-four charge. The return from those three away matches in less than a fortnight could help decide which European competition is a realistic target.
"The only thing that could change things up is that while Spurs seem to be engulfed in a permanent crisis right now, a replacement could provide the new manager bounce and see them hold on to fourth spot."
ARASH BAHRAMI - SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER
- Man City- 92 points
- Arsenal - 91 points
- Man United - 80 points
- Newcastle United - 72 points
- Liverpool - 66 points
"Predictions like this always come with caveats aplenty. Can Bruno regain his pre-suspension form? Will Isak continue to excel in attack? At the time of writing, it's hard to determine how the Tottenham players will react to Antonio Conte's departure, so I've ultimately opted for Newcastle United to pip Liverpool and Spurs to the final Champions League spot.
"Sunday's fixture against Manchester United should prove pivotal if that prediction is to come true. Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle seem to conjure streaks of good form and I fancy this to continue on Sunday. With home fixtures against Tottenham and Arsenal to come, I feel the St. James' Park factor could help them get over the line in the big games."
MATTY HEWITT - FOOTBALL WRITER
- Arsenal - 91 points
- Manchester City - 87 points
- Man United - 75 points
- Newcastle United - 69 points
- Liverpool - 67 points
"I've gone for Newcastle to grab that final spot in the top-four this season. I've seen enough from them to suggest they'll be defensively sound at home even if they still have to face Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs on home soil.
"Wins against those three sides will have a considerable impact on the race for the Champions League and I also think the departure of Antonio Conte will impact Spurs considerably in the final run in. Eddie Howe's side have been imperious at home and Alexander Isak's recent run of form should serve them well between now and the end of the season. Liverpool, although still unpredictable, are still the side to watch out for in my opinion, although Brighton will be close behind."
CHARLIE BENNETT - FOOTBALL WRITER
- Arsenal - 92 points
- Manchester City - 88 points
- Man United - 80 points
- Newcastle United - 70 points
- Liverpool - 69 points
"I expect Newcastle to scrape it… just! And what a season that will be for Eddie Howe. Let’s be honest, he has his team punching well above their weight and a top-four finish would supercharge the takeover to another level this summer.
"In terms of the run-in, I believe the next five fixtures will make or break Newcastle's season. Two home games against Manchester United and Tottenham, with three away tests sandwiched in between, is a storm the Magpies must weather .Get through that spell, combined with two winnable games in hand - and Newcastle have a chance.
"Liverpool, by contrast, play Manchester City (away), Chelsea (away) and Arsenal (home) in their next three games. Throw in the chaos at Spurs right now and the stars appear to be aligning for Howe and Co.
"Forget about Chelsea, they are too far gone. Newcastle have turned a corner and I have them pipping Liverpool by a point."
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