And so, just as Eddie Howe predicted in recent weeks, the race for the top five is heading to the final weekend. In a season where relegation and the championship has been sewn up for some time, it promises to be a thrilling end to the campaign as five sides battle it out for three Champions League spots.
Newcastle could have all but secured their seat at Europe's top table had proceedings panned out differently in Sunday's clash with Arsenal but the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium means the north east outfit have work to do against Everton this weekend.
Sunday afternoon promises to be a nervy affair, naturally, but there are plenty reasons to be optimistic as a lengthy campaign comes to an end. Chronicle Live takes a look at the positives in Newcastle's favour heading into the final 90 minutes of the season.
### A decent fixture - on paper
If you had offered Newcastle fans a one-game shootout, at home to Everton, to decide their Champions League fate - they'd have snapped your hand off. Of course, it is a one-off game and David Moyes' side are no mugs... but Newcastle are unsurprisingly favourites to take home all three points this weekend \[The home side hold a 66.2% chance of winning according to StatsInsider\].
10 league positions separate the two sides, Newcastle have garnered 21 points more than the Toffees and found the net 68 times compared to their opponents' 41. Everton, admittedly have conceded two fewer goals than Howe's side this term, despite their struggles.
With Chelsea facing Nottingham Forest, while Aston Villa visit Manchester United and Manchester City play Fulham, Newcastle look to have been handed a winnable tie to round out the season.
### This Newcastle team get the job done
The Newcastle of old would likely have found a way to throw this season away - and certainly would not have lifted a trophy at Wembley Stadium. Yet this Howe outfit get the job done when it matters these days.
In recent months, Newcastle have calmly managed the nerves around the Carabao Cup final, as well as expertly getting the job done against Arsenal over two legs - home and away. To add, Chelsea were calmly dispatched in a Champions League six-pointer earlier this month.
Going further back, Newcastle have been in this position before. The 2022/23 season saw the Magpies thrash Brighton at St James' Park to edge closer to the promised land, before getting the job done by avoiding defeat against Leicester City weeks later.
This is a new-look team who look more comfortable dealing with these sorts of pressured environments. An early goal would set the tone nicely come Sunday.
### Everton's season is all but done
Everton bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park with a comfortable win over Southampton on Sunday afternoon, in a game that felt like a season finale rather than a penultimate encounter. The Merseyside outfit have nothing to play for heading to Tyneside this weekend, knowing whatever the result they will finish the season in 13th.
Moyes will want to end a disappointing campaign on a high but you cannot envisage Everton suddenly finding much enthusiasm with so little on the line. However, you can guarantee Jordan Pickford will give his team-mates a good talking to before the match...
The former Sunderland stopper is not a popular figure in these parts and his performance will be a subplot to keep an eye on alongside the ever-changing Premier League table on the afternoon.
### St James' Park factor
If this game was taking place at Goodison, as the final men's fixture at the north west ground, you'd be a tad worried. Thankfully, United play host to the showdown - and their recent record on home soil adds to the confidence.
Since tasting defeat to Fulham back in February, Newcastle have won six games on the spin at St James' Park. Zooming out further, Newcastle sit sixth in the home table for the entire campaign, winning an impressive 12 of their 18 fixtures thus far. Everton, on the other hand, have won just five of their 18 away clashes, sitting 13th in the respective table with 1.17 points per game.
Meanwhile, a sunny St James' Park will be relishing such a climatic end to the campaign. A 4.30pm kick-off will let the atmosphere build, while the fans will do what they do best by making the atmosphere as strong as it can be.
"We love playing at home," Howe said lately. "It's a really great atmosphere. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and make it too emotional. We need to give our best and try and win."
### It's in Newcastle's hands
Howe will want nothing less than three points this weekend and will not entertain, even for a second, the prospect of Newcastle settling for a draw. However, a point could see United finish in the top five given their current position and the fixtures around them.
Chelsea playing Aston Villa is huge, while Manchester City - who have a game in hand - and Nottingham Forest both need to win to cliubm back into the top five. To add, Newcastle's goal difference of +22 puts them in a good position given Chelsea currently sit on +20, Forest on +13 and Aston Villa on +9.
If Chelsea and Forest draw on Sunday, Newcastle will also only need a point at home to Everton to finish above both those sides.