Newcastle United’s takeover will have implications on every team in the Premier League but, first and foremost, they will be looking to stay in the top flight.
They are currently sat 19th in the table three points behind Leeds United and the Whites will want to keep Steve Bruce’s side below them at all times.
The Magpies’ Saudi-led takeover was confirmed on Thursday evening but the effects of it won’t take effect in the short term.
However, it has been widely reported that Bruce’s position as manager is uncertain with the new ownership wanting a more marquee name in the technical area.
They may look to bring in a handful of big-money signings in January but without a win in their first seven matches of the season, they might still be in a precarious position come the new year.
In FiveThirtyEight’s recent Premier League table predictions, it is still believed that Leeds will finish above Newcastle with the Whites expected to come 14 th .
The Magpies have been predicted to narrowly avoid relegation in 17 th .
After every match, FiveThirtyEight use their Soccer Power Index (SPI) ratings to calculate upcoming results and eventual standings.
The SPI values are explained as follows on their website :
“In our system, every team has an offensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to score against an average team on a neutral field, and a defensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to concede.
“These ratings, in turn, produce an overall SPI rating, which represents the percentage of available points — a win is worth 3 points, a tie worth 1 point, and a loss worth 0 points — the team would be expected to take if that match were played over and over again.”
Leeds’ recent win against Watford took a lot of early-season pressure off Marcelo Bielsa and his players but they will need to back it up to ensure true daylight is put between them and the bottom three.
FiveThirtyEight estimate that there is a 15% chance that the Whites will be relegated so they cannot afford to become complacent after the success of last season.
