THE battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League has tightened up considerably after last weekend’s matches, which saw the impact of Newcastle United’s failure to win at West Brom compounded by Fulham’s surprise success at Liverpool.

The Magpies now find themselves just one point clear of the relegation zone with 11 games to play, and while both they and Brighton have a game in hand on Fulham, the battle to avoid the drop looks like going to the wire.

Who do Newcastle play in their remaining matches? And how are those games likely to go?


Mar 12 - Aston Villa (h)

Newcastle return to action this Friday with a home game against an Aston Villa side that have stuttered somewhat in recent weeks, winning just one of their last five games.

The Magpies will still be without their missing forwards, so much could depend on whether Jack Grealish is fit enough to return for the visitors. Villa have missed their skipper in the last couple of games, but he has been pencilled in for a possible comeback at St James’. If he starts after recovering from a leg issue, Newcastle’s task will become more difficult.


Mar 20 – Brighton (a)

Newcastle head to Amex a week on Saturday for an evening game that is certain to have huge repercussions in the fight to avoid the drop. Even if they have secured a positive result against Villa, the Magpies cannot afford to lose to a Brighton side that dropped below them on goal difference last weekend.

There is a chance Callum Wilson could be fit to play some part in the game, but Steve Bruce will be desperate to ensure he does not risk his leading goalscorer suffering any kind of setback that could prematurely end his season. Managing Wilson’s return to action successfully will be crucial to Newcastle’s hopes of survival.


Apr 3 – Tottenham (h)

The Magpies return to action after the international break with a home game against a Spurs side that are currently battling on three different fronts. Jose Mourinho has been shuffling his pack a fair bit recently, but is likely to field his strongest line-up on Tyneside in the first game back after the international hiatus.

Bruce will be hoping he can call on both Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin by the start of next month, with the pair currently expected to complete their respective recoveries during the international break. Their performances in the final two months of the season could well be crucial.


Apr 10 – Burnley (a)

Burnley are still involved in the relegation fight – the Clarets are currently three points and one place above Newcastle – so there is a good chance next month’s game at Turf Moor will have the feel of a real ‘six-pointer’.

The Magpies have lost just one of their last six meetings with Burnley, so Bruce will be targeting this game as a key opportunity to take at least a point. With Bruce likely to adopt a safety-first approach, and Sean Dyche unlikely to adopt an expansive outlook, it could prove a difficult watch. Expect a similar type of game to Sunday’s at West Brom.


Apr 17 – West Ham (h)

West Ham have been one of this season’s surprise packages, but Newcastle will still regard a home game against David Moyes’ side as a chance to claim what would be a much-needed win.

The Magpies won at the London Stadium on the opening weekend of the season, and will hope Saint-Maximin’s counter-attacking abilities proves as effective next month as they were in September. Given the difficulty of a number of their remaining away games, Newcastle have to make their final six home matches count.


Apr 24 – Liverpool (a)

Can Newcastle follow Fulham’s lead and spring a huge surprise by winning at Anfield? The history books would suggest it is unlikely, with the Magpies having failed to win a league game at Liverpool’s home since 1994.

The Reds’ title defence has gone horribly wrong in the last month, but will they have steadied the ship by the time Newcastle head to Merseyside? Or if a top-four finish is out of the question, might Jurgen Klopp be focusing on the Champions League if Liverpool still have a chance of being crowned champions of Europe?


May 1 – Arsenal (h)

It is hard to know what to expect from Arsenal at the best of times, so it is particularly difficult to predict what shape Mikel Arteta's Gunners side will be in by the time they arrive on Tyneside at the start of May.

They are unlikely to be battling for a Champions League place, but Newcastle will hope they are still involved in the latter stages of the Europa League and are prioritising Europe.

Whatever state the visitors are in, however, Newcastle will have to improve on the two performances that saw them lose at the Emirates in both the Premier League and FA Cup in the space of the same week in January.


May 8 – Leicester (a)

Newcastle’s penultimate away game could hardly be tougher as it takes them to the King Power to take on a Leicester side that are likely to be battling for a top-four finish right to the end of the season.

The Magpies were hammered 5-0 in the same fixture last term, and were second best when Brendan Rodgers’ side won on Tyneside in January. Anything from this game would be regarded as a bonus given the strength of the opposition on home soil.


May 12 – Man City (h)

Might this be the game when Manchester City are looking to clinch the title? There is every chance, but even if Pep Guardiola’s side have things wrapped up by the time they head to Tyneside, it would be a brave person to predict a Newcastle win.

That said, however, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last two league home games against City. Might they spring another surprise, or will Sergio Aguero further embellish his remarkable scoring record against Newcastle?


May 15 – Sheff United (h)

Newcastle’s final home game pits them against a Sheffield United side that will almost certainly have been relegated by the time they head to the North-East. Unless the picture changes dramatically in the next few weeks, it will be a must-win game for the Magpies.

As things stand, supporters will not be allowed into St James’ Park, but that could change if the Premier League push the penultimate round of matches back to enable fans to attend. Given his fraught relationship with the fanbase, it is debatable whether Bruce would want supporters in the ground for such a pivotal encounter, although the presence of up to 10,000 home fans would surely help galvanise Newcastle's players.


May 23 – Fulham (a)

What a way to finish. Newcastle’s final-day trip to Craven Cottage is shaping up to be a survival shoot-out that will have huge ramifications for both clubs.

The current plan is for around 5,000 Fulham fans to be allowed in, and it remains to be seen whether that hands the Cottagers a decisive advantage. Scott Parker’s side have improved markedly and are within touching distance of Newcastle and Brighton.