Newcastle Toons
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How Newcastle United’s schedule compares to relegation rivals

By Declan Ryan

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Christian Atsu of Newcastle celebrates with his team after their second goal scored by Mohamed Diame of Newcastle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Christian Atsu of Newcastle celebrates with his team after their second goal scored by Mohamed Diame of Newcastle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /

Things are heating up in the bottom half of the Premier League.

With the business end of the Premier League season rearing its ugly head, there’s little wiggle room for any of the sides that surround Newcastle United.

Five points separate the Toon in 13th to Crystal Palace in 18th. And aside from 20th-place West Brom who sit seven points adrift of Stoke in 19th, every side has a fighting chance of escaping the drop.

For the most part, the bottom-half fight in the Premier League has been disappointingly separate from those at the top. We’ve seen off-the-field drama at West Ham, managerial change at Southampton, and a whole first-team of injuries at Crystal Palace – in comparison, Newcastle United and their fans have remained resolute in their unity and confidence in manager Rafa Benitez, and this has been reflected in Newcastle’s improving performances of late.

Stoke remain in a lurch, but both Swansea and Huddersfield are in good positions with eight games remaining this season. Brighton’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal showed why they’re up to 11th, and Bournemouth remain in a good spot in 12th despite going four games without a win.

A dominant display against fellow strugglers Southampton underlined the positive atmosphere on Tyneside, but how do the remaining eight games stack up for Newcastle United and their relegation rivals?