Newcastle United do not need any extra motivation as a memorable season to date enters the home straight. Five straight wins means Eddie Howe's side sit third in the table, three points clear and with a game in hand in the unexpected race for a Champions League finish.
The Magpies have shrugged off their Carabao Cup disappointment to revive their prospects of securing a top-four spot. It would be an achievement way ahead of schedule, but the dismal campaigns endured at Chelsea and Liverpool so far combined with Tottenham's ongoing turmoil means there may not be a better chance for Howe's side to gatecrash the Premier League's elite.
Newcastle's destiny remains in their own hands with just nine matches remaining, with home clashes against Arsenal, Brighton and Tottenham to come, as well as a final-day visit to Chelsea. But as it stands, the final home match of the season against a different opponent could have a greater bearing when it comes to the club's summer transfer plans, regardless of their eventual league finish.
