Newcastle United didn't win a game until December last season when the visit of Burnley sparked the Magpies' top-flight revival.
However, Eddie Howe will be hopeful of getting that feat ticked off on the opening day of the season after being handed a home encounter against Championship play-off winners Nottingham Forest. Of course, when it comes to the fixture list Howe will be the first to say: "Everybody has to play everybody else eventually!"
But after avoiding any of the big six in the first two fixtures, Newcastle have the opportunity to get points on the board against both Forest then away to Brighton a week later - when Dan Burn and Dan Ashworth will return to their old stamping ground.
Here are nine games that could help shape the season for Howe's men.
READ MORE: Newcastle United Premier League fixtures LIVE: Magpies' 2022-23 schedule released
Nottingham Forest (h) August 6
Had you been offered the chance to hand pick your first game of the season, there's a good chance it would have been Forest. The City Ground side are already one of the bookmaker's picks to be relegated and their squad is lacking both quality and top-flight experience.
The two sides haven't faced up to each other in the Premier League since 1999 and the last days of Ruud Gullit on Tyneside. True, Steve Cooper's side proved they can mix it with the big boys by beating both Arsenal and Leicester City in the last season's FA Cup.
However, given the standards at Howe's Newcastle these days he will be expecting three points to kick off.
Manchester City (h) August 20
The first chance for Newcastle to test their mettle against a top four side. Pep Guardiola's men were easy winners in a 4-0 victory on Tyneside last term, while the trip to the Etihad Stadium resulted in a 5-0 hammering. Can a newly assembled Toon squad fair any better? This one will be a measuring stick of the season
West Ham (a), September 10
After finishing 11th last season the question is now whether Newcastle can make that jump to the next level. And that level happens to be pushing for a Europa Conference League place.
West Ham netted that seventh-placed spot last season and qualified for the new Euro format by pipping Leicester for the final spot in the Continental competition. Therefore the trip to the London Stadium in September, where Newcastle drew 1-1 under Howe in spring, will be a great opportunity to test themselves in a tough away game against David Moyes' side.
Chelsea (h) November 12
A key date - as this will be the last game before the mid-season break for the World Cup finals in Qatar. After this Newcastle will have a five-week gap in their fixture list with various squad members, including Bruno Guimaraes heading to the Middle East.
The Magpies will be desperate to sign off on a winning note and set the tone for the second half of the campaign.
Fulham (a), October 1
The Cottagers romped to the title with Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbing a breathtaking 43 goals in the Championship last term. Mitro and co will be waiting for Newcastle in early October
Craven Cottage will look a little different compared to Newcastle's last visit to the venue in 2019, although the impressive new Riverside Stand won't be in full operation until later in 2023. But it's matters on the field fans are concerned about and if United can flex their muscle against a newly promoted team early in the campaign on the road, it can help set the tone for Howe's men.
Leicester City (a), December 26
The Boxing Day clash is hardly on the doorstep for Newcastle fans with old school expectations of facing at least a game in the north now seemingly a thing of the past. Howe's side were battered 4-0 at the King Power Stadium last season and will be looking for revenge.
Taking something from one of the more established sides on the road in the middle of the festive period would be a measure of how far United have come since that heavy defeat in the East Midlands.
AFC Bournemouth (a), February 11
Howe won't want to go back to the Vitality Stadium and lose that's for sure. This one will be a sentimental afternoon for Howe and his coaching team.
Bournemouth will be one of the newly promoted sides that could find life back in the big time a little easier after only going down in 2020. It will be interesting to see how Newcastle deal with them.
Manchester United (h), April 1
This game never needs much of a build-up given the bitter historical Premier League history between the two clubs. It was a fixture Newcastle should have won last term with Man United scrambling late draw.
This time around Howe will get the chance to pit his wits against highly rated former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Leeds United (a), May 13
The 1-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road proved to be the turning point in many people's eyes last season back in January when Jonjo Shelvey's free-kick won it in Yorkshire. There could be a lot more at stake by this point in the new season though.
Beating Leeds is the closest thing to a derby for Newcastle fans and the supporters were sent into ecstasy in this fixture last season. Could it be the type of game that pushes Newcastle towards an impressive European finish this time around?
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