· 22 May 2025, 19:30
**Newcastle United face Everton at St James' Park in the season finale on Sunday in the bafflingly non-televised 4 pm kick-off.**
After failing to beat Arsenal last week, Newcastle go into the final game uncertain of which European competition they will play in next season.
Unless something crazy happens, they are practically guaranteed to enter the Europa League due to their goal difference being greater than the teams around them, The lowest Newcastle can finish is sixth, which means the Magpies have already upgraded their Europa Conference League spot they gained by winning the Carabao Cup.
However, a win for Newcastle would guarantee them entry to the Champions League, while a point could be enough too, depending on other results.
Paul Merson has heaped the pressure on with his prediction
----------------------------------------------------------
There are many connotations, and the table is likely to be moving wildly all afternoon as the games are played, but Paul Merson, writing for [Sportskeeda](https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-paul-merson-predicts-nottingham-forest-vs-chelsea-premier-league-gw38-fixtures), expects Newcastle to get the job done ... just!
> "This is a dangerous game for Newcastle because Everton are one of those teams that never lie down. No matter what kind of season they go through, Everton never roll over or make it easy for their opponents. If Alexander Isak is not fit to play this game, then it becomes a really tough task for Newcastle. Home advantage will count, but the longer it stays 0-0, Everton will sense more than just an outside chance to nick a win."A draw might be good enough for Newcastle to qualify for Champions League. But I don't think they would want to leave it down to chance. All these teams want to win on Sunday and I think Newcastle will edge it.
>
> "**Prediction**: Newcastle United 1-0 Everton"
Nerves!!
--------
I hate to say it, but I agree with Merson on this one, the longer it stays 0-0, the more nervous we will get and the better Everton will feel.
I've also got a bad feeling that we're not going to dominate the Toffees like we should and make life difficult for ourselves.
Hopefully, we're wrong, but I'd be lying if I said I was full of confidence going into this one, and like Merson says, Alexander Isak's availability will be huge for Newcastle one way or another.