Alan Shearer has now shared where he thinks Newcastle United could finish in the Premier League table this season.
Newcastle struggled in the first half of the season with the added stress of Champions League fixtures, but their form has taken a positive turn in 2024 and things are looking much stronger.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Shearer claimed that top four in the Premier League may just be too much for the Geordies but that they’re in a four-team fight for fifth and sixth.
Shearer says top four may be out of Newcastle’s reach
Newcastle’s first experience back in the Champions League was short lived and somewhat disappointing after the first two big results, but it was something special that no supporter would ever want to take back.
It’s unfortunate that the European fixtures took such a toll on the squad who have suffered an unbelievable amount of injuries this season, though that’s the price you have to be to be an elite side.
After what was a tough period to get through in December, Newcastle were facing a mid-table finishing sitting in 10th position and having lost more games in this campaign by January than they had all of last season.
However, the tide has turned on Tyneside with four consecutive away wins and getting back up to seventh in the league, so Shearer has faith that Newcastle can still reach fifth or sixth, but top four may be too much of a stretch.
On Newcastle, Shearer said: “I think Newcastle are in a three or four team fight to get into fifth or sixth, maybe top four might be too much for them this season.
“Fifth might be enough for a Champions League anyway, so we’re probably in a fight with Aston Villa, Brighton, Manchester United and maybe Spurs I think in and around that.”
Newcastle have 14 games to make or break their season
Failing to reach the top four would not be a failure by any means, but failing to qualify for any kind of European tournament would feel like a bit of a step backwards after last year’s success.
Newcastle have 14 games left in the Premier League season and are definitely in the mix but have a bit of a mountain to climb as they are still 10 points off of Aston Villa in fifth.
Of course, they do also have the FA Cup to focus on with their fifth round tie against Blackburn taking place on the 28th as they look to make it back to back trips to Wembley.
Eddie Howe will be hoping to keep injuries at a minimum, especially having lost both strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson to knocks this season, so that they can have a real push in these final months.
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