Newcastle United will start the new Premier League season as one of the players sitting at the top table having barged their way alongside the top flight's leading names last season. A fourth-place finish brought with it Champions League football, but also a rise in expectation across the country at what this side can do.
More importantly, back home in Newcastle it brought renewed hope and excitement about watching the team. Still, expectation has risen at St James' Park too given the team that is being built and what the current crop did last season.
That expectation is being recognised in the latest odds released for next season. Following the publication of the Premier League fixtures this morning which have seen the Magpies handed the toughest start of any team with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool first up, bookmakers have given their early decision on the runners and riders with the Mags well fancied.
