March set to be a mammoth month at St James’ Park – our upcoming fixtures assessed

With the Tottenham game postponed due to their FA Cup progress, Newcastle face a shorter month fixture wise in March but even so, it promises to shape our season as the race for survival heats up.

With Slimani struggling for fitness, it will likely be Dwight Gayle leading the line as we look to bounce back from the disappointing collapse at Bournemouth.

Here is who we face this month and the danger men to look out for…

Liverpool (A)

This weekend we face the daunting task of a trip to Anfield. Liverpool are flying at the moment and the sentiment of Rafa returning to Liverpool won’t affect the devastating trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane. We historically struggle in this fixture and it is hard to see us stopping Liverpool with the form they are showing at the moment as they chase down 2nd place. We have a good goal difference compared to our direct rivals so it would be good to keep it this way.

Danger man – Mohammed Salah

The Egyptian has lit up the Premier League this season and is hunting down both the golden boot and player of the year award. His pace and deadly finishing is hard to stop and containing him is key to getting any kind of result. Not many have, mind..

Prediction – Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle 

Southampton (H)

Next up is a crunch clash at St.James’ as struggling Southampton make the trip up north. Despite having a good team on paper, the Saints continue to be in the relegation mix and currently are below Newcastle in the table.  Southampton have really struggled to score goals under Pellegrino and have the likes of Charlie Austin on the treatment table.

It will be a nervy affair and may just end up in a draw.

Danger man – Dusan Tadic

The playmaker is inconsistent, but on his day can cause problems for any side. Often now deployed in the number ten role, we need to ensure he isn’t given the space to hurt Newcastle, especially on the counter – which is something we have done a lot at home so far this season.

Prediction – Newcastle 1-1 Southampton 

Huddersfield (H)

The final game of the month is also a massive six pointer against a relegation rival. Huddersfield have had a similar season to Newcastle and after a strong start to the season have dropped down the league. Like the Southampton game it will tense, but to stay up we need to beat the teams around us. Slimani has been pencilled in for a return in this one, but we cannot rely on that..

A bit like he did at the back end of the  2015/16 season, I think Rafa will get us over the line in this one.

Danger man – Steve Mounie

The powerful striker has 8 goals so far this season and is the Terriers focal point in attack. Lascelles will enjoy the physical battle against him and if we keep him quiet, you would back Newcastle to come out on top in this one.

Prediction – Newcastle 2-1 Huddersfield

Four points from these games would be a decent return and much needed considering two of them are against our direct rivals. This would leave us on 33 points and with 7 games to play, a real chance of staying up and getting near the magical 40 points mark.

How many points do you think we will get? And will this shape our season?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

28 thoughts on “March set to be a mammoth month at St James’ Park – our upcoming fixtures assessed

  1. Wasn’t the last article open for discussion on here saying that 38 points would have teams staying up most years? And yet, this magical, mystical and mythical 40 points number is brought up again.

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  2. Eric Sykes:
    NUFC have not won at Anfield since 1994.

    Don’t see that changing either sadly.
    Weather here in Bristol is shocking. Blizzard snow, kids sledging down our hill.

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  3. Lads back from Respite early due to no transport tomorrow or this afternoon.
    I just cannot seem to get warm and the cat is hogging the radiator 🙄
    Did I say I hate snow. 👿

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  4. What makes Phil Neville Shyte? Is it that he is a moron and his Dad is called Neville Neville? Or is it he is just a shyte commentator and is full of shyte? Wrong all of the time? If you just said the opposite to what he says you would normally be right!

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  5. Kimtoon: the snow is no excuse for why the expensive seats at Arsenal are less than half full.

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  6. So, since it is quiet on here I will spill my beans:

    Phil Neville is Shytemaster Shyte.

    Arrogant Alan and Ugly John will be sacked this weekend.

    Lee Ryder eats turds for breakfast.

    Rooney peaked at 25 and Mr. Roy still let him run the team at 30.

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  7. Should Wenger get sacked after this?

    It is becoming a bit of a joke for a club like Arsenal.

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  8. Kimtoon: looks like just me and you on here. Or You and I, can never figure out that! Just wait for the 3 week international/FA break.

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  9. Everybody thinks we will automatically lose against ****, Chelsea and Everton. We have a chance against all of them.

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  10. Eric Sykes:
    Everybody thinks we will automatically lose against ****, Chelsea and Everton. We have a chance against all of them.

    you never know Eric, this time of year always throws up unexpected results.

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  11. Police Sergeant Prem.
    Spunds like your business is coming together nicely too ?
    Thanks funrafa.

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  12. shamrock:
    Police Sergeant Prem.
    Spunds like your business is coming together nicely too
    Thanks funrafa.

    Well done Sham, that’s great news 🙂

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  13. Premandup:
    I’m here as well, just reading more than writing. Although that may change now the Academy is online.

    looks like it’s coming together nicely for you too Prem, good luck going forward.

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  14. Well the snow as fun to start with and still have to make a snowman with the kids tiday2. But cant drive to work – so will have to walk to nearest station instead. Can it please **** off now?

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  15. shamrock:
    Well the snow as fun to start with and still have to make a snowman with the kids tiday2. But cant drive to work – so will have to walk to nearest station instead. Can it please **** off now?

    Try Chicago 🙂 Happy to hear about the promotion.

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  16. shamrock:
    Well the snow as fun to start with and still have to make a snowman with the kids tiday2. But cant drive to work – so will have to walk to nearest station instead. Can it please **** off now?

    I hate snow, live on a hill which is seriously dangerous to try to drive up or down and never gets gritted. It will be days before I can drive anywhere and forget taking lew out in the wheelchair, not happening. And I just know i’ll have a flat battery when I try to start it up.
    Like you said, it just needs to **** off now, and it’s bloody cold too.

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  17. Nice of scum to open their ground for the homeless for the week-end,they might get a crowd bigger than their match day?

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  18. I want Sam Allardyce’s job. In the last 10 years he has:

    Been sacked by NUFC and probably picked up a couple of million in compensation.

    Sacked by Blackburn with 18 months to go so there’s another couple of million

    Let go by West Ham

    Left Sunderland for England

    Sacked by England after the pint of wine fiasco, received 3 million in comp

    Let go by Palace with 1 year left so another 2 or 3 million

    Has contract with Everton until June 2019 but will be sacked in the summer “earning” probably another 3 million in comp.

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  19. Icedog:
    Nice of scum to open their ground for the homeless for the week-end,they might get a crowd bigger than their match day

    Did you read the article. Said they have opened up a room that is big enough to sleep 12 people. So you are right Icedog, they will get a bigger crowd than on their matchdays.

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  20. Back to Allardyce. After getting all of that money for nothing it is no wonder he looks so pleased with himself all of the time. Sammy Lee is on quite a little earner as well.

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