Whether you’re tuning in from home or heading to St James’ Park, it’s fair to say that, to all intents and purposes, tonight’s Champions League tie with Qarabag is already over.
With a 6-1 lead and home advantage, it would take a minor miracle for the Azerbaijan side to deny us a spot in the last 16.
However, with a huge run of home games on the horizon, we must maintain momentum and get back on track at St James’ Park after three defeats in our last four against Brentford (2-3), Aston Villa (0-2) and Man City (0-2).
Between Qarabag tonight and the last 16 first leg on the 10th or 11th of March, we’ll have FIVE home games in two weeks: two in the Premier League, two in the Champions League and one in the FA Cup.
24th February – Newcastle vs Qarabag (Champions League)
28th February – Newcastle vs Everton (Premier League)
4th March – Newcastle vs Man Utd (Premier League)
7th March – Newcastle vs Man City (FA Cup)
10th/11th March – Newcastle vs Barcelona or Chelsea (Champions League)
Once tonight is out the way, all eyes will be on Saturday’s clash with Everton and what feels like a must-win game to keep our slim hopes of a top six finish alive.
Not only that, it’s against an Everton side who are currently one point ahead of us in 9th and gunning for Europe themselves, upping the importance of a win after losing to 7th place Brentford in our last league home match.
Then comes Man Utd next Wednesday. The Red Devils are currently a massive 12 points clear of us in 4th, but they are beatable and these are the games we’ll be desperate to win to claw back the gap that currently exists.
Man City come next on Saturday 7th March, where a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup are up for grabs. Not only would victory here leave us one win from Wembley, we know the winners secure a Europa League spot that won’t be easily achieved through the league this season.
Last but not least, barring disaster tonight, either Barcelona or Chelsea will come to Tyneside on Tuesday 10th or Wednesday 11th March for our last 16 first leg, with Newcastle set to play the opening game on home turf after qualifying via the play-offs.
So, five games, all at home and a period that looks absolutely huge if we’re to salvage something from this tough old season.
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