Newcastle United handed major Champions League boost - on one condition

Newcastle United will re-open a five-point lead over seventh-place Aston Villa - if they beat Ipswich Town at St James’ Park this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

After beating Newcastle 4-1 at Villa Park last Saturday, Unai Emery’s side had the opportunity to move up to fourth in the Premier League table with a win away at Manchester City last night.

Bernardo Silva put Man City in front after just seven minutes but Villa soon hit back through Marcus Rashford’s penalty. A draw would have taken Villa into sixth above Chelsea, however they remain seventh after Matheus Nunes scored a dramatic late winner.

The race for the top five and Champions League qualification now looks as follows:

3rd: Manchester City - P34 // 61 points // GD+23

4th: Nottingham Forest - P33 // 60 points // GD+14

5th: Newcastle United - P33 // 59 points // GD+18

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6th: Chelsea - P33 // 57 points // GD+18

7th: Aston Villa - P34 // 57 points // GD+5

Why Manchester City winning is better than a draw

Although the victory saw Man City climb into third above Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, the result can be considered a positive one for Eddie Howe’s side.

If Newcastle can beat - and relegate - Ipswich this weekend, they will move back up to third in the table and go five points ahead of Villa with a far superior goal difference. Then, with only four matches of the season remaining, the Magpies would need essentially need seven points to guarantee finishing above Emery’s men.

That would essentially leave Chelsea - who visit St James’ Park on Sunday, May 11 - and Nottingham Forest as Newcastle’s closest rivals for a top five finish. And while Man City shouldn’t be completely discounted, history tells you they finish seasons strong. Of the remaining fixtures, theirs in the most favourable.

Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea & Aston Villa remaining fixtures

Nottingham Forest

Thursday, May 1: Brentford (H), 7.30pm kick-off

Monday, May 5: Crystal Palace (A), 8pm kick-off

Sunday, May 11: Leicester City (H), 2.15pm kick-off

Sunday, May 18: West Ham United (A), 2.15pm kick-off

Sunday, May 25: Chelsea (H), 4pm kick-off

Manchester City

Friday, May 2: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), 8pm kick-off

Saturday, May 10: Southampton (A), 4pm kick-off

Sunday, May 18: Bournemouth (H), 7pm kick-off

Sunday, May 25: Fulham (A), 4pm kick-off

Aston Villa

Saturday, May 3: Fulham (H), 12.30pm kick-off

Saturday, May 10: Bournemouth (A), 5.30pm kick-off

Sunday, May 18: Tottenham Hotspur (H), 2.15pm kick-off

Sunday, May 25: Man United (A), 4pm kick-off

Newcastle United

Saturday, April 26: Ipswich Town (H), 3pm kick-off

Sunday, May 4: Brighton & Hove Albion (A), 2pm kick-off

Sunday. May 11: Chelsea (H), 12pm kick-off

Sunday, May 18: Arsenal (A), 4:30pm kick-off

Sunday, May 25: Everton (H), 4pm kick-off

Chelsea (6th)

Saturday, April 26: Everton (H), 12.30pm kick-off

Sunday, May 4: Liverpool (H), 4.30pm kick-off

Sunday, May 11: Newcastle United (A), 12pm kick-off

Friday, May 16: Manchester United (H), 8pm kick-off

Sunday, May 25: Nottingham Forest (A), 4pm kick-off