Without Rafa Benitez in the dugout, Newcastle United's 'luck will run out' and they will be relegated from the Premier League this season.
That's the view of ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno who has tipped the Magpies to slide into the Championship along side Norwich City and Watford.
United's victory over Manchester United on Sunday lifted them two places clear of the relegation zone heading into the international break.
Moreno was joined by ESPN FC's Ross Dyer to analyse the potential relegation candidates - eight games into the season.
The pundit confidently selected Norwich and Watford for the bottom two spots because they "struggle to defend" and "don't score enough goals".
But despite Steve Bruce's side's victory over the Red Devils at St James' Park , Moreno believes the Magpies will succumb to the third relegation of the Mike Ashley era.
Moreno says United "did just enough" to avoid relegation under Benitez, and their lack of attacking threat will cost them their place in the Premier League.
Speaking to ESPN's Youtube channel , he said: "Spirit is not enough to keep you in the division. You've got to have a little bit more than that.
"This team can not create opportunities. They'll defend just enough but they can not create opportunities. Even at home, they play defensive.
"Even against teams in their same category, they'll drop off and just withstand pressure and hope they'll get a goal from somewhere.
"It's too much hoping and maybe Newcastle will get enough. I think their luck will run out this year."
