There is no argument in stating that the English Premier League is one of the most exciting but tough competitions football can offer. Comprising big teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal makes the English Premier League one of the most-watched and followed competitions in the world.
The football competition that attracts millions on a Saturday, Sunday, and sometimes on a Wednesday, also attracts many punters to tempt their luck at the best UK bookmakers operating online. Placing a bet on who will win a specific game, or which player will score the most goals. Football fanatics also enjoy a bet or two on who will win the overall Premiership, along with some far stretch bets that include scoring a hattrick during a particular game. This is the Premier League, and this is where the elite compete.
However, the Premier League is not only composed of well-known successful football clubs. There are a number of less-known clubs which round up the equation and some of these teams include Newcastle United, Brentford City, Leeds United, Burnley, Watford, and Everton. Unfortunately, these lower table teams have no aspiration, at least for this season, to win the Premier League title and most probably for the forthcoming years.
Although some of these lower-placed teams are focused to avoid relegation and aim to remain to play top tier football next season, some of these teams did feature at the top part of the formerly English Division One in the past. One can mention Leeds United who has had a formidable team in the seventies.
Under the managership of Don Revie and having players like Gordon Strachan, Peter Lorimer, Andy Gray, and Terry Yorath, they were the team to beat not only in England but also in Europe.
Newcastle United is another team that has made and left its mark in the English Leagues. The team traces its inception to 1892 when Newcastle United emerged and was established following a merger between Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. The team has had the fortune not to be part of the Premier League only twice. The team came close to winning the English Premier League on two occasions and on both occasions, they were runners up to Manchester United.
Newcastle United are originally known by their nicknames “The Magpies” of the “Toon Army”. The term magpies emanated from the color of their jersey – Black and White. The team plays its home games at St. James Park and some of the great players who have had the honor to play for Newcastle United include Kevin Keegan, David Ginola, Michael Owen, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
There are twenty teams participating and playing in the English Premier League. The bottom three teams are relegated to the English Football League Championship. At the moment, Newcastle United is placed at the fourteenth place in the table. They are followed by six teams – Brentford, Leeds United, Everton, Burnley, Watford, and Norwich City.
In contrast, Newcastle United is chasing the teams like Aston Villa, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, and Brighton. Only a few points separate Newcastle from these football teams and there are quite a number of games still to be played which makes the prospect of the Magpies remaining in the English Premier League next season a little brighter.
Looking at the lower part of the Premier League table, it will indicate that there are seven teams fighting to avoid relegation. Those teams which will eventually manage to remain in the Premier League next season need to fully make use of their experience and potential to secure their place. They also need a bit of luck to ensure that they avoid the drop.
Anything can happen in football as in any other sport and this is probably very relevant to Newcastle’s situation at the moment. With the change in ownership a few months ago, came an injection of funds into the club’s coffers. The change in the managerial staff and influx of new players enabled the team to be unbeaten during the run of seven games. They had four wins and three draws. This positive streak lifted the team to fourteenth place in the English Premier League.
One instrumental signing who made an immediate impact on the way Newcastle plays is Kieran Trippier. Trippier used to play his football at Tottenham Hotspurs and Atletico Madrid in Spain. He also wore the English national jersey and played for the national team.
Trippier has scored twice to help secure six points for his new club. The player’s ability and speed on the flank as well as his vision from dead ball situations is an important element that makes it unlikely for Newcastle United to finish at the bottom of the Premier League’s table.
Fortunately for Newcastle United and unfortunately for the other teams battling to avoid relegation, they do not possess players with the skills that Kieran Trippier has. A player who can win matches from free kicks or who can swing and cross the ball so perfectly in the penalty area.
The coming of new players at Newcastle United and the injection of fresh funds were fundamental for the club but what is even more important is that the team needs to keep its current form and momentum. It is up to the players and coaching staff to ensure that there is unity between the players and find the appropriate football coordination aimed at continuing the positive winning streak of late. It is also important that injuries are kept as low as possible and the medical staff at the club need to be on the alert and act quickly to ensure that injuries are avoided. This together with the rotation of the players playing games will hopefully keep the infirmary empty.
Newcastle United has to make their bit to secure their place in the Premier League for next season. But there are other teams which are doing their utmost to stay at the top of the competition for next season.
In contrast to Newcastle United, Brentford City has not won in eight matches. What is worse is that they only managed to score four goals and it’s apparent that Brentford is struggling to create scoring opportunities.
In the coming days, Brentford has two crucial games to play against two direct teams fighting to avoid the drop – Burnley and Norwich City. If they fail to win these games it will be extremely difficult for Brentford to remain in the English Premier League next season.
Given past experience at playing top competition football, Norwich City and Burnley can have an advantage over Brentford. Experience in these kinds of situations can make all the difference and Norwich and Burnley have an abundance of this and will surely make full use of this important and effective tool.
Leeds United has been playing fast and attractive football but unfortunately with little success. The sacking of their manager Marcelo Bielsa and replacement by Jesse Marsch will make it more difficult for Leeds United to avoid relegation. Motivation is low and it will take time for the coaching staff and players to find the correct formula and make the team tick to procure better results. Time is essential not on Leeds United’s side.
Watford seems incapable of getting out of the relegation zone. They also changed their manager and brought in Roy Hodgson for the Italian Claudio Ranieri. There seems little hope that this change will bring the desired results for Watford.
In view of their experience in the Premier League, Everton better known as the Toffees will most probably be the main contenders to Newcastle United. But at the end of the day, it seems likely that the Magpies will play in the English Premier League next season provided they keep scoring goals and winning.
