Newcastle United will be keeping a close eye on developments involving the teams below them in the Premier League over the few weeks that follow the international break. Despite putting a significant gap between themselves and the relegation zone, the Magpies are still not totally safe.
Nine points is the difference between Eddie Howe’s side and the drop zone and he will still be desperate to increase that gap. At present, it is hard to imagine enough of the teams below United will be able to go ahead of them between now and the end of the season but stranger things have happened in football.
For the teams currently in the bottom three to mount a real survival push, there would have to be a serious upturn in fortunes but, with plenty of games between relegation-threatened sides left to play, there are certainly points on offer. Over the few weeks that succeed the international break, there are a few games that will be of interest to Newcastle players and supporters.
