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Five teams Newcastle United can claim the double over next season

By Durim Halimi

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United celebrates with team mates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United celebrates with team mates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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The 2018-19 Premier League is expected to be competitive, but Newcastle United can run the double against some clubs.

Opening day for the 2018-19 Premier League campaign is only a few weeks away and it is time to start previewing some match-ups. Newcastle United will not have an easy to start to the season, but the Magpies are not doomed.

One thing we all learned last season was how unpredictable matches can be. Newcastle were the exact definition of unpredictable last season as they dropped points when they should have won and vice-versa.

Looking ahead to next season, Rafa Benitez’s men will use the adversity they faced last season to their advantage. There will be five key match-ups that Newcastle can and should win next season. Here are five clubs that Newcastle should run the double against during the 2018-19 campaign.

Cardiff City

Of all the teams in the Premier League, the newly-promoted side, Cardiff City, will be the most lenient opponent Newcastle will face. With that being said, anything less than six points against Cardiff City will be considered a disappointment.

The Magpies did not play well against newly promoted sides last season, but Cardiff City’s roster is not as competitive. Newcastle will face Cardiff City on these dates: August 18th (A) and January 19th (H).

Fulham

Like Cardiff City, Fulham earned their promotion to the Premier League last season. Aleksandar Mitrovic was goal-scoring machine for Fulham last season, but it remains to be seen whether the Serbian striker will return. Regardless, Fulham lack the competitive edge to compete with mid-table sides in the Premier League.

Some analysts predict that Fulham will be the top flight’s dark horse next season, but I think that label belongs to Wolverhampton. Newcastle will host Fulham on December 22nd and Fulham will host Newcastle on May 12th.

Huddersfield Town

The Terriers avoided relegation in their first season in the top flight by four points after earning 37 points to conclude the campaign. Newcastle and Huddersfield both claimed a victory over each other last season, but that should not be the case this time around.

Seeing how difficult Newcastle’s first eight matches will be, the Magpies will have extra urgency to secure points against a mediocre Huddersfield Town. Newcastle will take on Huddersfield Town on December 15th (A) and February 23rd (H).

Southampton

Southampton shocked the league with their poor form last season as they almost fell to the Championship. I expect the Saints to be stronger this season, but not strong enough to compete with Newcastle. Had it not been for an ill-advised tackle by Florian Lejeune that led to a penalty, Newcastle would have claimed two victories over Southampton last season.

Last season is in the books, but Southampton is a side that gives opponents too many chances in matches. For this reason, Newcastle will be expected to march over the Saints at home and away. The two sides will clash on October 27th (A) and April 20th (H).

West Ham

It does not matter how much money West Ham spent on players this summer because Newcastle will out-muscle them for 180 minutes. The Magpies managed to score six goals on West Ham last season and the Hammers have not altered their defensive unit.

Moreover, Newcastle will surely play angry football against West Ham as the London-based club tried to take Rafa Benitez and Jamaal Lascelles away from Tyneside. Newcastle and West Ham will play each other on the following dates – December 1st (H) and March 2nd (A).