03 April 2023 , 07:31
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What a time to be a Newcastle fan!
Eddie Howe's side are third in the Premier League after beating Manchester United 2-0 at St James' Park on Sunday. Goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson helped the Magpies secure a famous win and put them in contention for Champions League football. After three consecutive victories, Newcastle will be confident of joining Europe's elite.
Yet there is still a long way to go in the Premier League's top-four race. Brighton, for instance, still have 12 league fixtures left. With that in mind, Mirror Football takes a look at United's, Newcastle's, Tottenham's, Brighton's, Brentford's and Liverpool's remaining games to try to guess which two sides will secure Champions League football.
Newcastle
- Position: Third
- Points: 50
- Games remaining: 11
At this point, you're probably expecting us to tell you Howe's high flyers have a tough run in... but they don't. Newcastle's next four games are likely to have a big say in their campaign, as they face a trip to Brentford and Tottenham at St James' Park.
If Newcastle are still in the top four after they host Spurs on April 23, they'll be confident of getting over the line. They will be hoping their fate is secure by the time leaders Arsenal, who defeated Leeds 4-1 on Saturday, turn up at St James's Park on May 7.
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Newcastle's remaining fixtures: West Ham (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (A), Tottenham (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A)
Manchester United
Manchester United lost to Newcastle on Sunday (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)What's your top four prediction? Let us know in the comments below!
- Position: Fourth
- Points: 50
- Games remaining: 11
As Newcastle fans start to get excited, United fans start to panic. They will finish the Premier League weekend in fifth if Tottenham beat Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night. The good news for Ten Hag's side is their run in isn't that bad.
United must travel to Brighton and Tottenham, but they've already faced Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City twice. Their Europa League and FA Cup campaigns are a distraction, but they should still have enough in the tank to finish in the top four.
Man Utd's remaining fixtures: Brentford (H), Everton (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), Brighton (A), West Ham (A), Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A), Fulham (H), Chelsea (H, date TBC)
Tottenham
Harry Kane's Tottenham are still in the hunt for a top-four finish (Getty Images)- Position: Fifth
- Points: 49
- Games remaining: 10
Somehow, Tottenham are still in contention for Champions League football. Off the pitch, Spurs chair Daniel Levy is trying to find a new manager and director of football after the departures of Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici respectively during recent days.
Yet on it, Cristian Stellini's side will have their sights set on a top-four spot. Positive results against Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton will keep their hopes alive, while a trip to Liverpool on April 30 might be a potential banana skin. They're still in this.
Tottenham's remaining fixtures: Everton (A), Brighton (H), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle (A), Manchester City (H), Liverpool (A), Crystal Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)
Brighton
Brighton are enjoying a season to remember (AP)- Position: Sixth
- Points: 43
- Games remaining: 12
Brighton can't be ignored due to their lofty position, but their run in is difficult. They must play title candidates Arsenal and Man City - placing added importance on those games against Tottenham and United. They also have an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon.
Yet Roberto De Zerbi's team are fighters. They recovered from a losing position THREE times during Saturday afternoon's 3-3 draw against Brentford, while no one will be looking forward to playing them. Finishing in the top four will be tough, but not impossible.
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Brighton's remaining fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Manchester United (H), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Southampton (H), Aston Villa (A), Manchester City (H, TBC)
Brentford
Brentford are flying under Thomas Frank (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)- Position: Seventh
- Points: 43
- Games remaining: 10
The Bees will need to go on an almighty run if they are to close that seven-point gap between them and United. Victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday night is a must if Brentford want to secure Champions League football, such is their current position.
Brentford must also play Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham, while their home game against Man City on the final day could be decisive - in terms of Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League qualification. A top-four finish seems unlikely.
Brentford's remaining fixtures: Manchester United (A), Newcastle (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (H), Chelsea (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Brentford (H), Tottenham (A), Manchester City (H)
Liverpool
Liverpool are in danger of missing out on European football next season (Getty Images)- Position: Eighth
- Points: 42
- Games remaining: 11
Liverpool need a miracle to secure Champions League football. We've seen them win 11 in-a-row before - but that seems unlikely considering how inconsistent they've been this season. Back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Man City have cost them dearly.
Jurgen Klopp's side face a tough run in. They must play Arsenal, Brentford and Tottenham, while Tuesday night's game against Chelsea - who have just sacked Graham Potter - will be interesting. Liverpool may have to settle for a Europa Conference League spot.
Liverpool's remaining fixtures: Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Nottingham Forest (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Fulham (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A)