Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has given his verdict on the Magpies’ start to the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The fixtures for next season have been confirmed, with Newcastle United set to kick off the campaign at home to newly promoted Southampton. That could lead to an immediate Toon return for Ryan Fraser, who has got a deal agreed to sign for the Saints permanently.
After that, the Magpies face Bournemouth away before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to St James’ Park. That is a fixture that has been kind to Newcastle in recent years, and it could be the game that sees Sandro Tonali make his Premier League return. That will be quite the occasion, with Tonali currently in the midst of a 10-month ban for betting.
Then it is Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham away, before Newcastle end September with the Premier League champions coming to town. Fixture number six is at home to Manchester City, which has been a thrilling contest during the previous two seasons.
Alan Pardew reacts to Newcastle United’s first five Premier League fixtures
Hopefully this year’s encounter with Man City at home is just as exciting, and former Toon boss Alan Pardew believes that Newcastle’s fixtures going into that game are pretty kind.
He has been speaking about the Premier League fixtures on TalkSPORT (18/06/24, 9:06am), and is optimistic about Newcastle United’s chances this season after seeing their fixtures.
“They have got a decent start, actually,” he said.
“I looked at Newcastle. Southampton at home, Bournemouth away, Spurs at home, Wolves away, Fulham away. That’s a pretty soft start for them.
“And no European football, of course. I fancy they will have a good season, Newcastle.”
Much more palatable start for Newcastle compared to last season
Newcastle play two of the ‘big six’ in their first six fixtures, with both games at home.
It is a pretty appealing start to the season for the Magpies, especially when you remember who we had to face during the first six games of the 2023/24 campaign.
Last year we took on two title contenders in Man City and Liverpool, and faced a tough opener against Champions League wannabees Aston Villa. Of course, we thrashed them that day, but what they went on to achieve shows how tough a fixture it was.
In contrast, Newcastle’s upcoming start to the season is much more appealing. And that is why Pardew thinks it could allow the Magpies to enjoy a strong start.
Newcastle have the chance to start strongly in the Premier League
And that could prove to be the foundation for a very positive campaign.
Newcastle will want to compete for a Champions League place, and that will certainly be attainable if they start the season well.
They have the chance to do exactly that, but it may depend on them sorting out their away form. While Newcastle were great at home last season, it was a different story on the road. And while matches against Bournemouth, Wolves and Fulham all seem winnable, they come with the caveat of being away from home.
If Newcastle can fix their travel woes, it could be a very strong start to the 2024/25 Premier League season.
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