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.
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Firstly, Burnley and Everton do battle on April 6 as Frank Lampard looks to build on his side’s narrow victory against United at Goodison Park. That game has rapidly become a must-win for the Clarets who are really starting to stare down the relegation barrel this season.
Just a few days later, two of the other teams towards the bottom of the table come together as Leeds make the trip south to face Watford at Vicarage Road. A couple of wins against Norwich and Wolves have helped Jesse Marsch’s side away from the relegation zone but they will need plenty more of those results to secure safety.
On that same weekend, Norwich and Burnley face off in a game that could either all-but consign the Canaries to the Championship or drag Sean Dyche’s side further into the mire at the bottom. Hopefully, on the back of their return to action after the international break, Newcastle will not have to worry too much about what is going on below them in the table.
Although, even with victory against Tottenham at the start of April, there will still be work to be done for Howe’s men before the end of the season to absolutely confirm their status as a Premier League club.
