The Magpies made it two straight league wins by beating Brentford on Wednesday night, but they must get past Leicester City to keep their hopes of qualifying for Champions League football high.
Newcastle United are currently seventh in the Premier League following Aston Villa’s win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but have the chance to take advantage of Chelsea and Manchester City dropping points on Sunday.
Newcastle’s visit to Leicester could see them move up to fifth with a win and level on points with Chelsea, who have a much better goal difference.
Leicester have lost their last seven league games, but boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has warned Newcastle it will not be an easy game. Toon boss Eddie Howe expressed concern for several Newcastle players after the win against Brentford on Wednesday, including Alexander Isak, who has scored 20 league goals so far this season.
With the Champions League race heating up, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has weighed in on whether he believes his boyhood club can return to Europe’s top competition.
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Alan Shearer on Newcastle United’s top four hopes
This season has been full of ups and downs for Newcastle. Things did not get off to a great start when Howe’s side found themselves in the bottom half before a winter resurgence saw them in the running for Champions League football again. Nothing will beat the highs of winning the Carabao Cup after 70 years without a domestic honour, however.
Newcastle have European football next season, but the fans and the players are eager to ensure that it is not just Europa Conference League football they will be playing.
Shearer himself has the same feeling after he was asked about whether he was hopeful of Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League on the Rest is Football.
“I really am hopeful (of Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League),” Shearer said.
“I would hope that the good form Newcastle are in and the good feeling that the club should have.
“Leicester this evening, their game in hand is Crystal Palace at home. I know they’ve got to play Aston Villa as well, but Palace and Villa are still in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and I think Newcastle play both of them just before.
“Yeah, I am hopeful. I would be slightly disappointed if Newcastle weren’t to make the top four or top five.”
Shearer was at St James’ Park for Newcastle’s win against Brentford last Wednesday, he will be hoping to get one over on his podcast partner Gary Lineker with a win over the Foxes.
How Newcastle United players feel about Champions League qualification
No matter what happens in the final nine games, many fans will still be delighted with Newcastle’s season after their Carabao Cup win. However, the season will be even more memorable if the Magpies finish in the top five, which should be enough for a return to the Champions League.
The feeling is not mutual for the Newcastle players, though. They are fully focused on finishing as high up the Premier League table as possible to ensure they will be playing the best standard of European football next season.
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Harvey Barnes said Newcastle players spoke internally about ambitions. They all agreed that qualifying for the Champions League is the next goal after their cup win.
Elsewhere, Sandro Tonali says Newcastle ‘need’ to be in the Champions League next season. With reports that Tonali could leave Newcastle this summer, his future at the club may depend on these last nine games.
