Kieron Dyer has tagged Newcastle United as "favourites" to qualify for the Champions League this season.
The former midfielder was part of the last Toon squad to reach the competition back in 2003 when United finished in the same third spot as they currently sit in now. The Magpies still have 24 matches left to play but know they will occupy a top four spot over Christmas and during the World Cup break.
Dyer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "Newcastle are very powerful. Eddie Howe's motto is 'Our identity is our intensity' and they are a very hard team to outrun and outpower.
"They are building the team in a measured way and the recruitment has been fantastic. Newcastle are firing on all cylinders at the moment and you can see really good times ahead for them.
"With the rest of the teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham still in transition, I don't think they are dark horses to make the Champions League - I think they are favourites."
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