It’s the period of the season that all fans look forward to, and all managers dread, as the games come thick and fast over the winter period. Newcastle will play ten games between now and the middle of January, and they are likely to be integral to the Toon’s chances of staying in the top flight this season.
Newcastle remain among the favourites for the drop with Boylesports.com. But, which games are likely to be most important during this run of fixtures for Eddie Howe’s team?
Huge Double-Header At St James’ Park
Before we even begin to get the Christmas songs on the radio, Newcastle will have a huge double-header of fixtures at St James’ Park. Home games against Norwich City and Burney will go a long way to determining how the Toon will do come the end of the season, and all fans will be wishing for six points from the two games against struggling opposition. The game against Norwich could set the tone for busy winter period, but Geordies will be starting to look at this game far more than just believing that the three points are a given.
The Canaries have turned a corner in recent weeks, and have won back-to-back games either side of Dean Smith’s arrival at the club. A win in this fixture sets the Magpies up nicely for the game against Burnley four days later, and maximum points from the fixtures will give fans reason to hope that the great escape could be on.
Christmas Misery Against Heavyweights?
The fixture computer certainly hasn’t been kind to the Magpies this year, as they face a gruelling run of fixtures between the middle of December and the 27th. During that run, Newcastle will come up against four of the teams that finished in the top five of the Premier League last season, starting against Leicester City at the King Power on December 12th.
Back to back games against Liverpool and Manchester City then follow, before Manchester United are the visitors to St James’ Park the day after Boxing Day. Howe will likely be looking at these fixtures thinking that any point will be a bonus, but confidence within the team could be hit if the Toon are cut adrift come the final couple of games before the FA Cup third round weekend.
Must-Win Games Either Side Of 2022
Given the run of fixtures that Newcastle have before the end of 2021 is in sight, it will mean that fixtures against Everton and Southampton either side of the New Year could be must-wins.
Both fixtures are on the road, with the match against the Saints on January 2nd being the biggest of the winter period for the Toon. The trip to Goodison could also be one that Howe may feel confident of getting something out the game, but much will likely depend on the position that the Toffees find themselves in at that period.
The fixture list certainly hasn’t been kind to Newcastle fans this Christmas, but all Geordie fans will be sticking as many points as possible on their Christmas list.