EXCLUSIVE: Alan Smith Issues His Verdict On Whether Newcastle Can Be Dark Horses For The Champions League
Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith does not think a top five finish is an “achievable” target for Newcastle United this season.
Matthias Jaissle’s side have started the season with a draw against Liverpool and a win versus Tottenham, but speaking exclusively to Newcastle United News (courtesy of Best Betting Sites UK), Smith said that a Europa League/Conference League spot is the best the Magpies can hope for:
“I don’t think top five is achievable. I think they’re going to be challenging for just outside that.”
“They’re challenging, I think, with the likes of Brighton and Brentford for one of those European spots. So I’d see them sixth, seventh, maybe eighth, one of those slots.”
What are the odds of Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League?
Opta have given Jaissle’s team a 23.91% chance of finishing in the top 5, which is a pretty high probability considering how many key players they lost over the summer.
Only Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have been given a higher percentage chance of Champions League qualification. Man Utd (27.61%), in particular, are not that far ahead in terms of the odds.
Jaissle will be keen to build on this positive start
Not many gave the Magpies a chance of being contenders at the top end of the table following the departure of Eddie Howe so late in the summer, combined with the sale of club captain Bruno Guimaraes.
However, Jaissle has brought a feel-good factor back to St James’ Park, and his style of play complements the first-team squad.
He already has some of the quickest players in the league, such as Anthony Elanga and Will Osula, but they have now added Matias Fernandez-Pardo to the mix, whose lightning pace will make Newcastle a force to be reckoned with, especially on the counterattack.