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Newcastle United: Analyzing the relegation battle rivals

By Durim Halimi

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Newcastle United team take part in a minute's silence in memory of Cyrille Regis ahead of during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Newcastle United team take part in a minute's silence in memory of Cyrille Regis ahead of during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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This season has presented the Premier League with one of the most competitive relegation battles in recent memory. Newcastle United will need some luck from other clubs to achieve survival.

Currently sitting two positions and one point above the relegation zone, Newcastle United have a long way to go until the season finale on May 13. The Magpies have struggled all season to find consistency and to close out matches, but the good news is that Newcastle are surrounded by several clubs that are in the same boat.

For a club that is trying to avoid relegation, the most important factor to achieving that objective is dependent on results. Newcastle United must control their own destiny to stay in the top flight next season, but the poor form of other clubs is what the Magpies truly need to secure survival.

The Magpies need other clubs in the league basement to struggle on occasion. Although matches have been unpredictable in recent weeks, there are five clubs in addition to Newcastle United that have the potential to go down this season. Below is a list of some notable matches the Magpies need each club to lose.

West Brom

West Brom are currently in last place and four points behind Swansea City in 17th. Here are the following matches the Magpies need the Baggies to lose:

  • February 12 – Chelsea vs. West Brom
  • March 10 – West Brom vs. Leicester City
  • March 31 – West Brom vs. Burnley
  • April 14 – Manchester United vs. West Brom
  • April 21 – West Brom vs. Liverpool

Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town had an impressive start to the season, but the Terriers now find themselves 19th in the table. Here are some matches that Huddersfield Town need to lose to give Newcastle United a better chance at survival:

  • March 3 – Tottenham vs. Huddersfield Town
  • April 21 – Chelsea vs. Huddersfield Town
  • May 5 – Manchester City vs. Huddersfield Town
  • May 13 – Huddersfield Town vs. Arsenal

Swansea City

The Swans have made Wales proud by playing in the top tier of English football for the seventh consecutive season. A poor start to the season has taken a toll on Swansea City, but the Swans have turned things around with their new manager. These are the matches Newcastle United need Swansea City to lose:

  • February 10 – Swansea City vs. Burnley
  • March 31 – Manchester United vs. Swansea City
  • April 21 – Manchester City vs. Swansea City
  • April 28 – Swansea City vs. Chelsea

Stoke City

Two of Newcastle’s six victories this season came against Stoke City. The Potters have under-performed this season and are now playing under a questionable new manager. Losses for Stoke City in the following matches would give Newcastle some breathing room:

  • February 24 – Leicester City vs. Stoke City
  • March 12 – Stoke City vs. Manchester City
  • April 1 – Arsenal vs. Stoke City
  • April 7 – Stoke City vs. Tottenham
  • April 28  – Liverpool vs. Stoke City

Brighton

The Seagulls were promoted to the Premier League with Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town, and thus far they sit three spots above Newcastle United. With only two points separating the two sides, here are the matches Brighton must lose to help the Magpies climb the table:

  • March 4 – Brighton vs. Arsenal
  • March 18 – Manchester City vs. Brighton
  • March 31 – Brighton vs. Leicester City
  • April 21 – Brighton vs. Tottenham
  • May 5 – Brighton vs. Manchester United
  • May 13 – Liverpool vs. Brighton

All in all, Newcastle United must focus on their own matches and try to earn as many points as possible. Most pundits have predicted the Magpies to conclude the season among the bottom three and if Rafa Benitez’s men continue to draw matches instead of win them, that could be a possibility.

Next: Newcastle United's top five managers in club history

It is not mission impossible for Newcastle United, but it will be difficult, especially if the aforementioned clubs pull off upsets in matches they are supposed to lose on paper.