Latest super computer predictions see Newcastle United fight for Europe

The latest data analysis from an algorithm that covers Premier League football has generated a probability for Newcastle United to qualify for the Champions League. It is crazy how drastically a narrative surrounding a club can change because of ownership.

Newcastle United stole the headlines with their 4-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday. With all the injuries surrounding the Magpies, most pundits were predicting a draw, and some even went the other way, but players like Miguel Almiron stepped up to the plate when it mattered most.

Newcastle United now find themselves seventh in the table with 11 points and knocking on the door of the top six. Neutral fans and several pundits knew this day would come, but not as soon as one year since the takeover.

Okay, let’s not get carried away here just yet. There are several games yet to be played and another transfer window that could see many teams strengthen and change trajectory midway through the campaign.

Newcastle United are being associated with European football instead of relegation to the Championship.

However, Newcastle United are in fine form at the moment, so the following prediction from FiveThirtyEight does not come as a surprise. According to their data analysis, Newcastle United are on track to finish the season eighth in the table with 55 points.

Since returning to the Premier League in the 2017-18 campaign, Newcastle United were always in the relegation mix. FiveThirtyEight’s data analytics rarely predicted the Magpies to finish with more than 40 points, and the only probability percentage associated with the club was the likelihood of relegation.

That narrative is long gone now that the club is in the PIF and Eddie Howe era. No one among the Toon Army would complain if that eighth place finish came to fruition. Finishing the season with 55 points would be the best conclusion to a season since the 2011-12 Premier League campaign in which Alan Pardew’s Magpies finished fifth with 65 points.

Newcastle United took the top flight by storm in the second half of last season as they climbed out of the league basement to finish the campaign 11th with 49 points. The Toon have what it takes to match the updated FiveThirtyEight prediction. The fact that Howe’s men have only suffered one defeat thus far is a good indicator of how competitive this squad truly has become.