Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle will oversee three Premier League games in October(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
We've had to wait long enough, but Newcastle United finally return to Premier League action on Monday night when their match at Coventry City takes centre stage to round off the gameweek six fixtures.
Matthias Jaissle and his new-look Magpies squad have eased many of the fears a turbulent summer had raised among the fanbase, and they are now moving into the second phase of the German's time at the club, after a whirilwind first few weeks.
How Newcastle perform between now and Christmas will go a long way in determining just how successful their summer plans were, but with a strong squad thanks to injuries clearing up, they head into their October schedule full of confidence.
United have three games this month, plus their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Everton on October 29, with another two games in November before the next break.
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With just one St James' Park match between now and Everton's visit on November 2, Jaissle's men will have do the hard work away from home, starting at Coventry. How many points should they look to get along the way? Here, we take a look at the October fixtures and what they should target - with your chance to do the same.
Coventry City (away)
Jaissle gave the usual 'every team is capable to win against every opponent' reply when asked about Coventry in his pre-match Press conference, but make no mistake: this is a match Newcastle must be winning if they have European hopes.
Frank Lampard's side were buoyed by that win at Forest, but they are yet to win at home this season and have not scored in their two Premier League defeats to Hull City and Brighton.
The key for Newcastle is not to let them get their tails up, as they will be desperate to prove the doubters wrong. United allowed Leeds to dictate the game and were blown away - on Monday night they must impose themselves on the Sky Blues from the start, and the victory should follow.
Prediction: Coventry 0-2 Newcastle United
Coventry vs Newcastle - what will happen on Monday night?
Aston Villa (home)
Villa have not had a happy start to the season and their conifidence could be fragile when they come to St James' Park. They face Fenerbahce at home in the Champions League three days before, so Newcastle will be hoping to exploit some tired limbs.
Any side managed by Unai Emery is always dangerous, and they have pace in attack which can threaten United. However, Newcastle wiill get chances against a creaking backline who have already lost to Forest, Brighton and Arsenal and were held by Hull.
United need to make their home games count and while this will be another close one, they should edge it.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace (away)
Another match in the immediate aftermath of a European fixture, Newcastle travel to Selhurst Park to face a Palace side who will have only just returned from playing Besiktas in Turkey on the Thursday night.
This isn't the Eagles' first forray into Europe of course, having won the Conference League last season, but while they are more experienced in handling the demands, their squad is not significantly stronger.
It's not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle in recent seasons, so a point may be a decent return, although there's no reason why United should not head north with all three.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United - what will happen?
Points total
So that's a total of seven points from a possible nine according to our predictions, but what about you?
Now you've made your predictions, translate that into points below to compare your total with everyone else.