Newcastle United are edging closer and closer to Champions League football following a 20 year hiatus from Europe's elite competition. The Toon have an eight point gap to their top-four rivals heading into this weekend and know a win over struggling Southampton would make that dream look more of a reality.
Had you asked a black and white supporter of their hopes in pre-season, a top-half finish with a cup run would have been on most people's agenda. Eddie Howe and his side have delivered that and more.
The Magpies set the tone early in the season with an unbeaten start, with defeat to Liverpool acting as a catalyst for an incredible run of form. For all the plaudits and accolades this season, one that's going somewhat under the radar is Newcastle's Premier League record playing on a Sunday.
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The Toon take on the Saints this weekend hoping to make it ten games unbeaten in the Premier League on a Sunday, with some impressive results in that run to date. Last weekend's 6-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur is no doubt the standout result, but the 3-3 draw with Manchester City at St. James' Park at the start of the season set the tone for what was to follow.
Newcastle have taken 23 points from fixtures that have taken place on a Sunday, with a double over Spurs, wins over Southampton, Fulham, Wolves and Manchester United to follow suit. The Toon have also picked up points against Pep Guardiola's side, Wolves and Manchester United in the first three months of the season.
Howe and his side will be hoping they're back amongst the goals, having scored ten in their last two outings, when they welcome the Saints to Tyneside today.
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