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Newcastle United will benefit from difficult start to the season

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Only Wolverhampton have a more difficult start to the season than Newcastle United, but the Magpies should not be worried.

On Thursday, the Premier League announced the 2018-19 season schedule. Five of Newcastle United’s first eight matches will come against Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. Between August 25th and September 15th, the Magpies will have their most difficult stretch of the season as they play Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in consecutive weeks.

The good news is that Newcastle will overcome an insurmountable challenge early in the campaign. The bad news, however, is that the Magpies could start the season among the bottom three and might have to climb their way out in the winter.

Despite the rigorous schedule early on, Newcastle will benefit from the adversity to take several points from mid-table and bottom-half clubs. Here a few reasons why playing elite clubs to start the season will benefit the Magpies.

Aggressive Football

Elite clubs are known for their tactics, pace and precision, but a key to their constant success is aggressive football. If Newcastle had a lenient schedule to start the campaign they would have lacked sufficient aggressiveness to compete for the top six.

Now that Newcastle knows they will play the best of the best to start the season, the Magpies will play aggressive football from the very start. As a result of this difficult start, Newcastle will have an advantage over other mid-table clubs as the Magpies will have superior strength and conditioning.

Composure

Newcastle will be exposed to a wide range of scenarios against each prominent club they face to the start the season. In some instances, the Magpies will fight to maintain a lead or draw and other times they will try to come from behind.

All of these situations will enable the Magpies to develop a sense of urgency and composure from the start of the season. In a campaign comprised of 38 matches, developing and maintaining composure is crucial to contending for a top-half finish.

Confidence

Playing elite opponents so early in the season bodes well for the Magpies as Rafa Benitez‘s men will be full of confidence. Every club will start the season with urgency to showcase their quality and Newcastle will try to build on their impressive top-half finish from last season.

Of course, positive results against top opponents will significantly boost Newcastle’s confidence to start the 2018-19 campaign. However, regardless of results, Newcastle will be a confident side as long as they can remain competitive against the historical top six.

In general, confidence and motivation should not be lacking for Newcastle. The Magpies know they will enjoy a lenient schedule between November and January after they complete their rough start. Taking some points in difficult matches early on would on serve as icing on the cake for Newcastle as they aim to elevate their status under Benitez this season.