Finally! The new Premier League season is upon us and everyone concerned with Newcastle United are hopeful of a promising season after a strong end to the last campaign and a good start to the transfer window.
Eddie Howe has signed a new deal on Tyneside and admits he would love to win silverware this season but are the Magpies ready for a proper cup run AND a European push? This season promises to be an exciting one for many teams, with a host of clubs spending big.
We asked our Chronicle Live Newcastle United writers to give us their thoughts on the season ahead, where Howe's side can finish, who will impress and how other big questions in the top flight will be answered.
TAKE PART: Ambition, trust, atmosphere - 'The Big Newcastle United Forum'
Aaron Stokes - Newcastle United editor
Where will Newcastle finish this season?
I'm as optimistic as anyone this season but think a European spot is just going to be out of Newcastle's reach this campaign.
Callum Wilson needs to stay fit and firing for the majority of this term, while Allan Saint-Maximin needs to chip in with more goals this time around if Newcastle really want to try upset the apple cart.
I'm going to say 8th-place is realistic and a big improvement from last year. But I think the Magpies will just fall short of managing to achieve European qualification.
Who will be Newcastle's player of the season?
There will be plenty of shouts for Bruno Guimaraes, Callum Wilson and last season's victor Joelinton. However, I think Sven Botman could turn out to be the Magpies' biggest performer this year.
It may take the Dutchman a bit of time to settle into Premier League life as Howe eases him into life on Tyneside. By the end of the season I think we'll see exactly why Newcastle fought so hard to steal him from AC Milan's grasp.
Who will be Newcastle's surprise package?
He flatters to deceive a lot of the time but this is Miguel Almiron's year to shine. A full pre-season, filled with goals and assists, means the Paraguayan goes into this season in flying form.
If he can keep this up, coupled with United failing to sign a right winger to replace him, I think Miggy can flourish after public and private backing and support from Howe.
Who wins the Premier League?
Manchester City.
Premier League top scorer?
Mohamed Salah.
Three relegated teams?
Bournemouth, Fulham, Everton.
Lee Ryder - Chief Newcastle United writer
Where will Newcastle finish this season?
I've seen a lot of talk of Newcastle finishing as high as seventh place in the Premier League which would be fantastic in an ideal world.
I personally see them having a stable and steady campaign with 10th spot more realistic in my view. And that would also be good progress as it would hopefully mean a season where the club are not fighting against relegation which has been the norm for most of the last decade.
Throw in a cup run and I think that represents a great season for Eddie Howe.
Who will be Newcastle's player of the season?
It was a surprise package for Newcastle on this last season as Joelinton emerged as a midfield enforcer. While I see Joelinton being great again I don't think he will be player of the year two seasons in a row. After a great pre-season and superb 2022 so far I think another Brazilian will win it this term.
Step forward Bruno Guimaraes who seems to ooze quality whenever he's on the ball. He's educated himself on English very quickly, and knows his way around the Premier League already.
Who will be Newcastle's surprise package?
A few people thought Elliot Anderson would be loaned out this summer but he's shown he can play first-team here. It's perhaps not a surprise to me, but to the rest of the Premier League his progress will be.
Sit back and watch pundits purring over Anderson on TV about being the next big thing - then remind yourselves you already had a good idea anyway.
Who wins the Premier League?
Liverpool will close the gap, but Man City are still number one in this country.
Premier League top scorer?
Erling Halaand.
Three relegated teams?
Fulham, Brentford, Bournemouth.
Ciaran Kelly - Newcastle United writer
Where will Newcastle finish this season?
Newcastle were among the most in-form teams in the country at the back end of last season, but sustaining those sorts of results over the course of an entire campaign is a different matter entirely. For me, progress would be breaking into the top 10 and embarking on a proper cup run once and for all. I'm going to go for ninth.
Who will be Newcastle's player of the season?
Kieran Trippier. It's easy to forget Trippier only played seven games for the club last season, after breaking a bone in his foot, but the England international made a huge impact on and off the field and gave Newcastle a new dimension with his set-piece prowess, deliveries and leadership qualities. It remains to be seen just how often club captain Jamaal Lascelles plays this season so Trippier could have an even more talismanic role this season as the man who wears the armband in his absence.
Who will be Newcastle's surprise package?
This may be cheating a little, but Callum Wilson managing to stay fit for the most part. Although Wilson has only played in little more than half of Newcastle's league games since joining the club two years ago, this will be the first time the number nine has had a proper pre-season at Newcastle. The last time Wilson had a summer programme under Eddie Howe, the striker went on to only miss one league game through injury in his final season at Bournemouth. That is not a coincidence.
Who wins the Premier League?
Liverpool.
Premier League top scorer?
Heung-min Son.
Three relegated teams?
Southampton, Bournemouth, Fulham.
Matthew Ketchell - Football Editor
Where will Newcastle finish this season?
I'll go 8th - this would be their highest football league finish in over a decade. A proper tilt at European qualification and a deep run in one of the cups would be fantastic.
Who will be Newcastle's player of the season?
Bruno Guimaraes. He's gone up a gear in fitness, grasps the language and vibe of the club even better too. The Premier League looks suited to him and he knows where the net is. A very exciting combo of factors.
Who will be Newcastle's surprise package?
Keeping Jamaal Lascelles around is a smart move by Eddie Howe to ease the transition of new players and staff. He undoubtedly has a huge role still to play off the pitch, but he's looked solid enough in pre-season and can still contribute if rotated correctly with the other centre backs. A pre-season survey we ran revealed 61% of Newcastle fans would have sold him this summer, Lascelles is capable of proving those fans wrong.
Who wins the Premier League?
Manchester City.
Premier League top scorer?
Harry Kane.
Three relegated teams?
Bournemouth, Leeds, Fulham.
