Newcastle United finds themselves embroiled in yet another race for European qualification this season, although their aspirations may lean towards securing a spot in either the Europa League or the newly introduced Conference League. With the top four seemingly out of reach, the Magpies have fallen short of replicating their performance from the previous season. However, they still hold a promising chance of clinching a berth in European competition for the upcoming campaign.
Under the stewardship of Eddie Howe, Newcastle currently occupies the eighth position in the league table, trailing Brighton by just one point in seventh place. As the competition intensifies, an analysis of the last ten teams to finish seventh sheds light on the points tally Newcastle may require to ensure European football. Additionally, a decade-long average calculation, which involves adding one point to the total of the team finishing eighth, offers further insight into this scenario.
It’s worth noting that while securing the eighth position could potentially guarantee qualification for the Conference League, England’s current standing does not position them among the top two best-performing nations in Europe. Nonetheless, the race for European spots remains dynamic. Below, we delve into the recent history of seventh-place finishers to provide a comprehensive overview of Newcastle’s prospects.
1. 2022/23 – Aston Villa
Points – 61. Points needed – 61
2. 2021/22 – West Ham
Points – 56. Points needed – 53
3. 2020/21 – Tottenham
Points – 62. Points needed – 62
4. 2019/20 – Wolves
Points – 59. Points needed – 57