Rio Ferdinand believes Newcastle United are genuine contenders to earn a top-four finish and qualify for next season's Champions League. The former Manchester United defender reckons the final spot alongside Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United is firmly up for grabs.
Eddie Howe's side moved into the top four with an impressive away victory at third-placed Tottenham, and backed up this result with an emphatic home victory over Aston Villa. However, Manchester United hold a game in hand and would overtake the Magpies with a win.
It follows a near-perfect October for Newcastle, picking up 16 points from a possible 18. Howe's side now face televised encounters away at Southampton and at home to Chelsea before the World Cup break.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand highlights problem Newcastle's Callum Wilson may face in realising World Cup dream
The Magpies' blistering form has led to fans and pundits debating whether they can disrupt the so-called 'Big Six' ahead of schedule. Chelsea have already replaced Thomas Tuchel following a slow start to the season, while Liverpool currently sit eight points adrift of the top four after successive defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
Ferdinand is confident Arsenal and the two Manchester sides will all book their place in next season's Champions League, leaving one spot available between usual suspects Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. However, the BT Sport pundit believes Newcastle are also in the running for a remarkable top-four finish.
Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: "It will be Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd are the three ones I'd put my house on now, and then the fourth one I couldn't pick. Newcastle could come in there and take it."
READ NEXT
Bruno Guimaraes makes promise to Newcastle supporters as he addresses Real Madrid transfer talk
Alan Shearer backs calls for major rule change after incident in Newcastle United win
'Deathly silent' - Everything changes at Newcastle as players get emotional at training ground
Callum Wilson handed World Cup boost with Newcastle chiefs hopeful of England selection
Newcastle United boss questions two controversial decisions as Sunderland snatch late derby draw
