THIRTY down, eight to go. When Newcastle United return to action at the end of the international break, they will head into the final six weeks of the season with eight games still to play.

There are 24 points up for grabs, and given that they are currently sitting on the 32-point mark after this month’s win over Southampton, they probably need to claim at least another six to be assured of remaining in the top-flight next season.

Three more wins would definitely do it – another two would almost certainly mean Newcastle remaining in the Premier League, particularly if they can also pick up a draw or two along the way.

Rafael Benitez will no doubt stick to the managerial mantra of refusing to look beyond the next game, but most Newcastle supporters will spent the next two weeks scouring the fixture list to pinpoint where points might be won.

What are the remaining eight matches that will dictate the Magpies’ fortunes? And where are they most likely to pick up the points they need?


Saturday, March 31 – Huddersfield (h)

The Northern Echo: TERRIERS TIME: Newcastle face Huddersfield in their next home game

Newcastle’s best chance of recording a win in the run-in might well come in their first outing. Huddersfield are a point below the Magpies in the table, and after starting the season reasonably strongly, David Wagner’s side have stuttered badly in the last few weeks.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace was a major setback, and means the Terriers have now failed to score in four of their last five matches. Newcastle, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last five home games.

Benitez will adopt a positive approach against Huddersfield, knowing a win would lift a huge amount of pressure in the final month of the season. If Newcastle score the first goal, it’s hard to see them not going on to win.

Prediction: 2-0


Saturday, April 7 – Leicester (a)

The remaining away games look tricky, with the trip to Leicester’s King Power Stadium especially tough. The Foxes were all at sea in the opening weeks of the season, but have improved markedly in the last couple of months.

Can Newcastle’s defence keep Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez quiet? They were unable to contain the duo on Tyneside earlier this season, with Ayoze Perez’s late own goal resulting in a 3-2 defeat.

That was an extremely open affair, and Benitez is likely to be much more conservative at Leicester’s home ground. Even so, Newcastle might well struggle to keep their opponents in check.

Prediction: 2-1


Sunday, April 15 – Arsenal (h)

Newcastle have had some dramatic home games with Arsenal down the years, and while next month’s meeting is unlikely to be another 4-4 draw, it could prove to be the game where the Magpies effectively seal their top-flight survival.

Arsenal are not the force of old, and while there have been signs of improvement in the last couple of matches after a wretched run at the turn of the year, Arsene Wenger’s side remain unreliable travellers.

There will be plenty of quality in the away ranks, but having seen off Manchester United last month, Newcastle will quietly fancy their chances of claiming another scalp.

Prediction: 1-0


Saturday, April 21 – Everton (a)

Goodison Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle recently – they have conceded three goals on four of their last five visits to the ground – and while Sam Allardyce’s Everton side have been dreadful on the road recently, their home form has been strong.

Hopefully, by the time the Everton game comes around, the Magpies will already have banked a win or two because they will not want to be relying on a trip to Merseyside to clamber out of the bottom three.

Newcastle lost to Everton at St James’ in December, and while they’re unlikely to concede three in the return game, they could well be heading back across the Pennines without a point.

Prediction: 2-0


TBC – Tottenham (a)

The Northern Echo: NEW DATE NEEDED: Newcastle's trip to Tottenham still needs to be rearranged

The date for Newcastle’s trip to Wembley is still to be confirmed, but it is looking likely that the game will be slotted in sometime towards the end of April.

Newcastle were meant to be playing Tottenham last Friday night, but the match was moved because of Spurs’ participation in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Harry Kane is likely to be back in action by the time the rearranged game takes place, but even if the England striker is not involved, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will still be able to call on a dazzling array of talent as he looks to cement a Champions League spot.

Prediction: 3-1


Saturday, April 28 – West Brom (h)

The Northern Echo:

If all goes to plan, next month’s reunion with Alan Pardew could be the day when Newcastle make themselves mathematically safe. That is assuming, of course, that Pardew has not been sacked by then.

Given they are already ten points adrift of safety, West Brom could well be down by the time they travel to the North-East. In that scenario, it is hard to see them being able to lift themselves for a game against a motivated Newcastle side.

And even if they do still have something to play for, the Baggies’ recent performances suggest they will struggle to keep the Magpies in check anyway.

Prediction: 3-0


Saturday, May 5 – Watford (a)

Newcastle’s final away game of the season takes them to Vicarage Road to face a Watford side that are unlikely to have anything to play for on the penultimate weekend.

If the Magpies are still deep in trouble at this stage, there is every chance they could leave Watford with a win.

However, a more likely scenario is that a sedate draw will suit both sides. Ideally, this will be an afternoon when the focus of attention is elsewhere.

Prediction: 1-1


Sunday, May 13 – Chelsea (h)

The Northern Echo:

For a while, it looked as though Newcastle’s final-day meeting with Chelsea could be a huge game for both clubs. Might Newcastle have to win to survive? Could Chelsea need all three points for a Champions League place?

Increasingly, however, it looks as though everything could be done and dusted before the final weekend. Newcastle will hope to be clear of the bottom three before the final round of fixtures, while Chelsea are currently five points behind fourth-placed Spurs and seemingly destined for a Europa League spot at best.

It could prove a low-key end to the campaign. However, if either side has something to play for, they will start as favourites to win.

Prediction: 2-2