Newcastle United took another almighty step towards Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win over Premier League strugglers Southampton. The Magpies moved onto 65 points in third place, with five games to go.
Eddie Howe's side take on Arsenal next weekend, followed up by a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United. They host Brighton May 18th and then Leicester City in the penultimate game of the season before a trip to Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.
Newcastle have defied the odds this season, but will thoroughly deserve their place in the top-four come the end of the campaign if they continue their current run of form. In a worst-case scenario, the Toon would need 74 points or three wins in total to mathematically secure their place in the Champions League and can finish on a maximum of 80 points if they win all their remaining games.
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A win in one of their final five games would eliminate Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa from proceedings who can finish on a maximum of 66 points and they still have to play one another. Liverpool can finish on 71 points if they win all of their remaining fixtures but they also have to play Aston Villa.
Brighton can finish on a maximum of 73 points, but they're yet to face the Magpies at St. James' Park. If Howe's men were to beat Brighton, the Toon would need just 72 points to secure their place in the top-four beyond any doubt.
Manchester United can finish on 81 points if they win all of their remaining games, but they also have to play Brighton in their game in hand on Newcastle in midweek. A win for the Red Devils would mean the Gulls can finish on a maximum of 70 points, prior to visiting Tyneside.
The average points total needed to finish in the top-four in the top-four has been 71 points, just six away from Newcastle's current tally. Two wins from the Magpies final five games, one against Brighton and another against one of Arsenal, Leeds, Leicester or Chelsea would likely secure their place, if results go their way elsewhere.
In an ideal world, Newcastle would not have to win another game this season and watch the sides around them crumble, however best case scenario while still being realistic, would see Brighton lose to Newcastle and Manchester United, who can then can finish on a maximum of 67 points, while a single defeat for Liverpool against one of Fulham, Brentford, Leicester City, Villa or Southampton, would mean they can finish on 68 points as a maximum - meaning just one win and a draw could secure the Magpies top-four berth set in stone on 69 points.
