A supercomputer has predicted an underwhelming campaign for Newcastle United this season. Despite nearly securing a top-half spot in 2021-22, analytical website FiveThirtyEight expects the Magpies to finish 13th in the Premier League.
The site claims all forecasts are based on “substantially revised” estimations - but Toon supporters are unlikely to agree. Astonishingly, Newcastle place behind Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Brentford, all clubs who finished below Eddie Howe’s side last season.
Relegation is a fear Newcastle fans thought was foregone after securing top-flight survival in May. The £300million Saudi-backed takeover has supporters dreaming of European escapades and title charges in the coming years.
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However, FiveThirtyEight give United a 13% chance of relegation - an unthinkable scenario for everyone on Tyneside. For context, the same site predicted a 77% likelihood of finishing in the bottom three on December 2 last year… and we all know what happened next.
United have been given just a 7% possibility of finishing seventh and securing the Europa Conference League spot means - should FiveThirtyEight be proven right - Newcastle fans can put their passports back in the cupboard. Elsewhere in the division, they expect Manchester City (46%) to win the league, with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to go down.
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