Paul Merson believes an absent Eddie Howe will get off to a winning start tomorrow, backing his Newcastle United side to come away 1-0 winners against Brentford.
This is the only prediction the Sky Sports pundit has made, however, with him claiming that we’ll be relegated this season if we don’t pick up ‘at least even points’ from our next three home games.
After Brentford tomorrow, we face Norwich and Burnley in our next two games at St James’ Park – and Merson feels a few wins and a draw is the minimum requirement given the ‘terrible run’ of fixtures that look set to follow over the festive period.
Here’s what he told Sportskeeda ahead of the game:
“This is a massive game of football in the Premier League.
“Newcastle United finally have a new manager in Eddie Howe and they have three winnable games at home coming up. If they don’t get at least seven points in this period, they’ll get relegated.
“They have a terrible run of games after that, so they’ll have to make the most of this one.
“I fancy them to get a narrow victory at home against Brentford.“
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-0 Brentford
So, Merson is essentially saying we’re going down if we lose tomorrow, with him seeing seven points (two wins and a draw) as the minimum requirement ahead of home games with relegation rivals Brentford, Norwich and Burnley.
I don’t think things are quite that desperate, but with us stuck on five points, without a win all season and set to face Liverpool, Leicester, Man City, Man Utd and Everton over December, it’s vital we make up for lost time this month.