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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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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Stoke City and West Ham United at Bet365 Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

19th – Stoke City

Remaining fixtures: Everton (9th), Arsenal (6th), Spurs (3rd), West Ham (16th), Burnley (7th), Liverpool (4th), Palace (18th), Swansea (14th)

A talented yet dysfunctional side, Stoke parted ways with Mark Hughes after nearly five years in charge. If the football was stale before Paul Lambert’s arrival, a run of two losses and three draws in their last five games has done little to settle Stoke fans’ nerves.

Everton, Arsenal and Spurs could all ruin Lambert’s hopes of a victory before a visit to West Ham on April 16th. Both Burnley and Liverpool are tough tests too – the latter in particular given Stoke’s terrible defensive record that is the main reason for their league-worst goal difference of -28.

Games against Palace and Swansea to finish the season have the potential to save Stoke’s season, but make no mistake these could easily be far too late in the fixture list to save Paul Lambert’s campaign.

An expensive squad with players of the calibre of Xherdan Shaqiri and Jese Rodriguez, relegation is the last thing the finances of Stoke need. Paul Lambert is a capable manager, and the squad has shown flashes this season, but overall Newcastle fans should be confident that with Stoke’s fixture list, there’ll be one less place in the relegation zone to worry about.