The final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season has arrived.
37 games in, we sit fourth in the table on 66 points and know a win is all we need to make sure of Champions League qualification.
To achieve that we must beat a stubborn Everton side who rarely concede more than one goal away from home based on recent games. However, they will be without starting centre-backs James Tarkowski and Jarred Branthwaite.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher recently backed Newcastle to get the job done comfortably, but what has fellow Sky pundit Paul Merson had to say and how does he see the final day panning out?
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Paul Merson thinks today is a “dangerous game” for Eddie Howe’s Mags, as they face an Everton side who “never lie down” despite claims they’ll be on the beach.
However, he thinks we’ll edge it in what could be a tight and tense affair on Tyneside, predicting a 1-0 victory that may hinge on Alexander Isak’s availability:
He said: “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”
Based on Merson’s other predictions, he’s expecting Newcastle to be joined in next season’s Champions League by Man City and Aston Villa.
He backs Villa to win 2-0 at Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest to see off Chelsea 1-0 at the City Ground and Man City to win by the same score line at Fulham.
This would mean Forest miss out despite winning, as they need one of Villa or Newcastle to drop points should they beat Chelsea.
Merson’s predicted table
3rd – 71 points – Man City (Goal Difference +27)
4th – 69 points- Newcastle United (GD +23)
5th – 69 points – Aston Villa (GD +11)
6th – 68 points – Forest (GD +14)
7th – 66 points – Chelsea (GD +19)