Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures compared to rivals as chance to build momentum beckons

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What a difference a week makes. After going five Premier League without a win, Newcastle United have rediscovered their mojo, following up their Carabao Cup last-16 victory over Chelsea with a win over title-contenders Arsenal to reignite their European push.

Eddie Howe’s side are desperate to avoid a second consecutive season without European football and although they currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, they are only three points off the top four.

With ten games played, the table is starting to take shape and the Magpies will have an idea of the teams they need to leapfrog if they are to earn a place in Europe next season.

As Howe’s men look to build on their back-to-back wins over the two London sides, here’s a look at how their fixture lists match up to those of their rivals’.

Newcastle United opportunities in their five fixtures

The Magpies will make the trip to perhaps this season’s surprise package so far when they take on Nottingham Forest in their final match before the international break. There will be narratives galore on display there, given the early-season form of former Newcastle duo Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood, who have been instrumental to Forest’s excellent campaign so far that sees them sitting third in the table.

West Ham at home presents itself as a match that a European contender should be winning, while Crystal Palalce’s indifferent start to the 2024/25 campaign offers another chance to build momentum.

A midweek clash against Liverpool at St James’ is a mouthwatering proposition, recalling the 4-3 thrillers from the Kevin Keegan era, with Arne Slot’s men currently sitting top of the table.

Brentford away on December 7 will see the Magpies go up against Bryan Mbeumo, a player Newcastle are reportedly scouting.

The average league position for Newcastle’s next five opponents is 9.4th place in the table – meaning this is by no means a particularly tough section of the schedule and one where they will hope to make up ground on their rivals.

Arsenal and Spurs face testing schedules

Newcastle are only three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table and may see the next month as an opportunity to nudge ahead a Mikel Arteta side that are stuttering of late. The Gunners face Chelsea, Forest, West Ham, Manchester United and Fulham in their next five games, teams that have an average league position of 8.6th place.

That’s also the same average for Spurs’ next five opponents, with Ange Postecoglou’s men taking on Ipswich, Man City, Fulham, Bournemouth and Chelsea in this period.

At the other end of the spectrum, Bournemouth will be hoping they can build on their recent wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, as they face teams with an average position of 13th in the coming weeks, as they are up against Brentford, Brighton, Wolves, Spurs and Ipswich.