It may not have been pretty, but Newcastle United got an important three points at the weekend to keep their good form going.
The 2-1 win at St. James’ Park showed a side to Newcastle we’ve not really seen yet this season: that they can play badly and still win.
How has Newcastle United’s win over Burnley made you feel about next week’s trip to Sunderland? 👀
It may have only moved the Magpies up to 11th in the Premier League table, but they are now just three points off the top five; a position that was almost unthinkable a couple of weeks ago.
Eddie Howe has seen improvements in his team of late, that’s for sure. And now, those improvements have been reflected in the latest predictions for the final league table.
Supercomputer bumps Newcastle’s Champions League hopes
Just under two weeks ago, after the win over Man City, Newcastle were given a 9.27% chance of qualifying for the Champions League. They were predicted to get 55 points this season.
Now, after the draw against Spurs and the win over Burnley, Opta has bumped their chances up to 15.07% with regards to Champions League qualification. Newcastle are now projected to hit 57, perhaps even 58 points (57.91 to be precise).
That’s a huge step forward in pursuit of Newcastle’s goal this season of finishing in the top five. It’s thought England will be given five Champions League spots again this term.
While the likes of Crystal Palace and Liverpool are ahead of Newcastle in Opta’s predicted table right now, those two teams are only projected to hit just over 61 points. That kind of margin can swing in a heartbeat and Newcastle will know that.
Interestingly, though, that 15% is actually lower than the 16% odds given after the win over Everton. Opta clearly thinks Newcastle have gone backwards in some way, even though they remain unbeaten and keep climbing the actual league table.
Newcastle can leapfrog Liverpool and Crystal Palace
We should always take these supercomputer predictions with a pinch of salt, of course. The only thing that really matters is the actual table, and that could look very different by the time Christmas comes around.
After the Leverkusen game, Newcastle have massive league games against fierce rivals Sunderland and then Chelsea. To say those are six-pointers would be an understatement.
Let’s say Newcastle have a January transfer budget of £100m. How are you spending it?
All on one player? £20m on five different positions? Going big on a goalkeeper and a young-full back gets my vote…
Of the teams in front of Newcastle in the supercomputer table, you look at Liverpool as a team that the Magpies could and should end up overtaking. The Anfield outfit are in disarray after a poor run of form, Mo Salah’s outburst, and Arne Slot’s unusual comments about Jacob Murphy.
Indeed, Newcastle could leapfrog Liverpool next weekend if results go their way.
Conversely, Crystal Palace are looking like a top, top team this season. They’re in the top four right now, but like the supercomputer, we reckon they will suffer a dip at some point. The Eagles usually finish around midtable, and while they can certainly do better than that this season, Newcastle’s strength and experience may well give them the edge in the race for Champions League football.
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