I scored 68 goals in 84 games for Newcastle United - this is my Champions League prediction

A player who knows the importance of scoring goals at St James’ Park, the former striker netted 68 times in 84 games under Kevin Keegan. Cole cemented Premier League promotion before helping the Magpies propel towards the upper echelons of English football.

Unfortunately for Newcastle, by 1995-96, Cole was already a Manchester United player and his goals helped snatch the title away from St James’ Park. The now 53-year-old still keeps tabs on the Magpies’ fortunes and has backed his former club to qualify for Europe.

Cole highlighted Isak - with 22 goals across all competitions this season - as the key but expressed concern about Newcastle’s inconsistent form. Other results caused the Magpies to drop to ninth ahead of the trip to West Ham United tonight.

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“I believe so, yeah,” Cole told OLBG when asked whether Newcastle can qualify for Europe. “If they can keep Alexander Isak fit from now till the end of the season, that's an even bigger boost for them, because of the way he's playing and the way he scores goals. 

“I think that the form they've shown, they're a little bit inconsistent at the moment, but I think if they get themselves winning a few more matches, they'll be okay. They've got more than enough (to finish in the top four). 

“For Newcastle, they can get a little bit inconsistent at times. “If you look at the weekend's result (against Brighton) for them, being the home team, I don't think people would’ve expected them to have lost the game there, but they did. They've been a little bit up and down, but you just don't know.”