An incredible season for Newcastle United comes to an end on Sunday, as the Champions League party bus travels to London for the final game of the campaign.
Newcastle take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, safe in the knowledge that their place in the top four is confirmed and that Champions League football will be played at St James’ Park next season.
The away end will be in incredibly high spirits, and Eddie Howe will be keen to give the travelling Toon supporters one more thing to shout about.
There is still something riding on this game. Newcastle can end the season in third, but need to beat Chelsea and hope Manchester United do not win against Fulham.
And former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton is expecting the Magpies to complete their end of the deal.
Chris Sutton predicts Newcastle will beat Chelsea
As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton has tipped Howe’s side to win 2-0 against Chelsea on Sunday.
“Newcastle could well be in party mode now they are sure of Champions League football so this prediction partly depends on how motivated they are as their job is done,” he said.
“Even so, you still have to consider how bad Chelsea are. They have been woeful for the entire campaign and the bottom four teams are the only ones to have won fewer home games than them this season.
“There won’t be much for Blues fans to smile about at Stamford Bridge on Sunday either.”
But while Sutton thinks Newcastle are going to win, he is also anticipating a victory for Man United. That would mean the Red Devils finish above the Magpies in the Premier League table.
Time for Newcastle to go out in style
As Sutton says, Newcastle’s performance will depend on how motivated they are, but it is difficult to envision Howe letting standards slip when he knows thousands of fans have paid good money to travel to London.
He will want his players to put on a show, and a ‘bad’ Chelsea side could be the perfect opposition. They are desperate for the season to end, losing 4-1 on Thursday to Man United.
Newcastle will hope to inflict similar misery on a side they have replaced in the top four. This could be a real changing of the guard moment, although the Blues will be keen to bounce back next year with Mauricio Pochettino in charge.
For the Magpies, it is time to go out in style. Howe’s team have been beautiful to watch, and will be keen to end the season in spectacular fashion.