Steve Bruce says his side would have an "incredible chance" to secure survival if they beat Arsneal today.
A win would lift Newcastle to 13th place in the table and place a 12 point gap between themselves and Fulham with four matches left, meaning the only way the Cottagers could catch them would be to win all of their last four matches and hope United fail to pick up another point.
In short, it will be all over bar the shouting if Newcastle take three points from jaded Europa League semi-finalists Arsenal.
Despite spending the week in Spain preparing for their first leg against Villareal and today's game, Arsenal will have to choose their side carefully today as they look to preserve energy and players for the second leg.
When asked if Newcastle would be safe if they win this afternoon, Bruce said: "It would give us an incredible chance.
"There's not many teams go down with 39 points.
"But I have said all along whatever the magical figure is, it's the accumulation of points and can we beat last year's tally?"
When asked if Newcastle could surpass 44 points, Bruce said: "It'll be a tall order.
"Can we get above last year or beat it, I doubt it.
"But considering the problems we've had this year, I would be delighted if we could get there."
