Newcastle United are flying high right now.
The big worry at Newcastle United was that the emotional energy expended on first winning and then subsequently celebrating the Carabao Cup would lead to a drop-off.
Indeed, after a 70-year wait for a major domestic honour, it was a slight concern even if Eddie Howe was constantly warning the season was not yet finished.
While Howe’s side haven’t been brilliant since, they’ve at least taken six points from six. The Premier League could well be afforded five spots for next season’s Champions League and they current sit fifth in the Premier League table, behind fourth-placed Chelsea on only goal difference.
Crucially, the Magpies boast a game in hand on all of the Blues, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Fulham, all of whom are also vying for qualification for Europe’s elite club competition.
Newcastle beat Leicester 3-0 on Monday night and will be strong favourites against Manchester United on Sunday too.
Still, the race is tight and former Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy was asked for his prediction.
Craig Bellamy backs Newcastle United to finish higher than Nottingham Forest
Newcastle fans are confident they can overtake Forest in the table, with the Tricky Trees having lost to Villa last time out.
Howe’s side now sit four points behind them in third while also having that game in hand.
With that in mind, Bellamy believes Newcastle, Villa and City will join Liverpool and Arsenal in qualifying for the Champions League.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Would it be a great story for them [Forest]? Of course it would.
“But my feeling is towards Newcastle, Man City and Aston Villa.”
Champions League money could be game-changing for Newcastle United
Howe has already taken Newcastle into the competition of course but the journey ended all too quickly, even if they impressed and were unlucky to exit a ‘Group of Death’ alongside Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle would earn £17million by qualifying for the Champions League, while being able to offer it as an attraction to both their current players and potential new signings would be another major boost.
Frankly, it’s now in their hands. Not reaching the Champions League would now have to be seen as a huge disappointment, which feels incredible to say during a season in which Newcastle have actually won a trophy.
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