Doubt over Newcastle United’s Champions League chances amid Liverpool and Man Utd transfer deals

Newcastle United are expected to miss out on a place in the top four of the Premier League during the upcoming season, according to the bookmakers.

The Magpies will kick off their campaign with a home game against Aston Villa on the Saturday, August 12 as Eddie Howe’s side look to build on what proved to be one of the most memorable seasons in living memory. Despite heading into last season looking to break into the top ten of the table, United produced a stunning performance as they surpassed the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to secure a top four finish.

That ensured Howe’s men will compete in the Champions League for the first time since the days when Sir Bobby Robson patrolled the touchline at St James Park and the likes of Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert were wearing the famous black and white stripes.

Qualifying for European football’s elite club competition has helped the Magpies hierarchy in their bid to boost Howe’s squad ahead of a historic campaign and further eye-catching names are expected to join Italy international Sandro Tonali in making the move to St James Park.

However, the latest odds have revealed the bookmakers are doubting the Magpies ability to replicate last season’s heroics and secure another season mixing it with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Manchester City are rated as very short price favourites to continue their dominance of the division and both Arsenal and Manchester United are also tipped to join Pep Guardiola’s men in the top four.

However, it is Liverpool, not Newcastle, that are also at the top end of the odds, with the Magpies sat in fifth place rated at 6/4 to earn a second season in the Champions League. The Reds have signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for a combined £95m after a disappointing campaign last term while Chelsea are also heavily active in the transfer market.

Premier League top-four odds

Manchester City 1/16

Arsenal 4/11

Liverpool 1/2

Manchester Utd 8/13

Newcastle 6/4

Chelsea 13/8

Tottenham 4/1

Brighton 13/2

Aston Villa 10/1

West Ham 33/1

Brentford 40/1

Crystal Palace 66/1

Everton 100/1

Fulham 100/1

Wolves 100/1

Burnley 150/1

Bournemouth 200/1

Nottingham Forest 200/1

Sheffield Utd 250/1

Luton Town 500/1