The race for Champions League qualification has gone down to the wire, just like Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said it would.
Newcastle missed the opportunity to complete the job on Sunday after losing 1-0 to Arsenal. But to be honest, little has changed. Beat Everton at St James’ Park this weekend and Eddie Howe’s side will be back in Europe’s premier competition.
It’s tight and perhaps too tight to call. As it stands, the Magpies are third in the Premier League table but only on goal difference with fourth-place Chelsea and fifth-place Aston Villa also on 66 points.
Sixth-place Manchester City are a point behind but will move above those clubs if they beat AFC Bournemouth in their game in-hand on tonight. Seventh place Nottingham Forest are also on 65 points.
Chelsea and Forest go head-to-head at the City Ground on the final day, Aston Villa go to Manchester United and Man City visit Fulham.
In a world where statistics dominate the football agenda, British gurus Opta emerged as the leading stat geeks in an increasingly crowded field. An official Premier League partnership – as well as the internet explosion – saw them become a trusted source for everything you never needed to know about the beautiful game.
Now, an Opta-powered supercomputer how the Premier League top five will look come close of play Sunday.
3. Ipswich Town (19th) – 23 points
Current points total: 22 | AFP via Getty Images
