Newcastle United have defied all pre-season expectations and are on course for a return to Champions League football following a 20 year absence. Arsenal and Manchester City are potentially a win away from securing their place in Europe's elite competition, but the Magpies could also have a say in the title race in the final few weeks of the season.
Eddie Howe's side have an eight point gap and a game in hand on both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the potential Europa League spots, while Liverpool are nine points adrift but have played the same amount of games as the Toon. Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton have a game in hand and can move to within seven points of the Magpies if they win that, while they also still have to travel to St. James' Park.
Newcastle are set to play three of the sides that could still go down this season in Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United. Chronicle Live has taken a look at what managers in the top-eight have had to say on Newcastle and the run in itself.
