Opinion
Looking at these Premier League fixtures this weekend.
Seeing the other games from a Newcastle United perspective.
Eddie Howe and his players facing Ipswich on Saturday afternoon.
As a Newcastle United fan though, have a look at this weekend’s other Premier League fixtures and have a think about what you’d like to happen and what is likely in terms of results.
Five Premier League fixtures today, then the other five on Sunday.
**Saturday 21 December**
Villa v Man City (12.30pm)
Brentford v Forest (3pm)
Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
West Ham v Brighton (3pm)
Crystal Palace v Arsenal (5.30pm)
**Sunday 22 December**
Everton v Chelsea (2pm)
Fulham v Southampton (2pm)
Leicester v Wolves (2pm)
Man U v Bournemouth (2pm)
Tottenham v Liverpool (4.30pm)
This is how the table looks on Saturday morning before this weekend’s Premier League fixtures are played:
****
**My Conclusions**
Newcastle United fans are now tentatively wondering if they can start looking up the table once again.
Getting to a cup semi-final and some generally much better form in recent games, means that a win today over Ipswich could see NUFC sitting with a decent outlook as we get to Christmas.
Newcastle are twelfth BUT only two points off top six and five points off top four, so what do we want to happen in the weekend’s other Premier League fixtures?
**Villa v Man City** is a match where one of the teams at least, is going to lose points. Impossible to predict this one and whilst in the past I would have automatically chosen a Man City win as best for Newcastle, due to for sure thinking Pep Guardiola’s side are guaranteed to finish top four (top one!), maybe no such guarantee now. Maybe a draw at Villa Park the best result of all for Newcastle in this match.
**Brentford v Forest** features two teams currently above Newcastle and another one where a draw would be ideal, probably. I suppose I don’t mind what result, apart from a Forest win.
**West Ham v Brighton** is another game where it is difficult to predict. The only two teams to have won at St James’ Park in over 11 months. Anything but a Brighton win would do me in this one.
**Crystal Palace v Arsenal** is an easy choice. Hopefully Palace can continue their good run of only one defeat in their last eight PL matches. They were leading at Arsenal into the second half on Wednesday night and a bit unlucky to lose 3-2 at the Emirates, fingers crossed they get revenge today.
**Everton v Chelsea** is another easy choice, in terms of Newcastle United aspirations anyway. Hopefully Dyche’s team can bore another opposition to death and deprive Chelsea of at least two points.
**Fulham v Southampton** is yet another simple choice, the rock bottom Saints hopefully with a new manager bounce that potentially help Newcastle ease above Fulham this weekend.
**Leicester v Wolves** is a relegation six pointer if ever there was one.
**Man U v Bournemouth** is an interesting one. I have seen no new manager bounce at all for Man U, the same chaos and a ridiculously expensive squad, full of so many woeful characters. I wouldn’t place a bet on Man U finishing the season ahead of Bournemouth but I still can’t want Man U to win of course. I suppose I should want a draw but if Bournemouth win 10-0 I wouldn’t be upset.
**Tottenham v Liverpool** should be an entertaining watch. If Spurs defend like they did in midweek when fluking a quarter-final win over an equally poor Man U, then only one outcome in this. I think Liverpool are all but guaranteed to finish above Newcastle this season, so in terms of Newcastle hopes, I should for sure want them to win. However, a draw would be fine with me. I do fancy NUFC to finish above Spurs regardless of this result but I accept that the worst outcome of this game would be a Tottenham victory, when it comes to black and white ambitions this season.