Newcastle United’s Premier League start - how many points to expect from the Magpies’ opening quarter?

Starts can often define a season - but how tough is Newcastle United’s? Here’s a look at the first nine games of the Premier League campaign, and what the Magpies achieved in the corresponding fixtures last season.

Jacob Murphy of Newcastle celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 with team mates during the pre-season friendly between Burton Albion and Newcastle United at the Pirelli Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

When the Premier League fixture list dropped in June, the general consensus was Newcastle United’s top flight start wasn’t as tough as previous years.

Only one top six side in the opening nine games of the season is the perfect opportunity for United to get some points in the bank and avoid flirtations with relegation again, right?

Well, here we take a look at how United did in the corresponding fixtures last year.

In working this out, the obvious thing to realise is three teams dropped out of the league - Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham - and three new ones have arrived - Norwich City, Watford and Brentford. So, using their finishing league position, we’ve decided to swap in the Championship winners Norwich, for third bottom Fulham, second placed Watford for West Brom and finally, bottom of the pile Sheffield United with play-off winners Brentford.

Here’s how United got on last year - and what might be in store in the opening skirmishes of 2021/22.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce speaks to Joelinton of Newcastle during the pre-season friendly between Burton Albion and Newcastle United at the Pirelli Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

Newcastle United’s first NINE Premier League games - 2021/22

Newcastle United v West Ham - Sunday, August 15

Aston Villa v Newcastle United - Saturday, August 21

Newcastle United v Southampton - Saturday, August 28

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Saturday, September 11

Newcastle United v Leeds United - Friday, September 17

Watford v Newcastle United - Saturday, September 25

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United - Saturday, October 2

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Saturday, October 16

Crystal Palace v Newcastle United - Saturday, October 23

How many points did United claim in last season’s corresponding fixtures?

Newcastle United 3 (Diop OG, Joelinton, Willock) West Ham 2 (Diop, Lingard) - THREE points.

Aston Villa 2 (Watkins, Traore) Newcastle United 0 - ZERO points.

Newcastle United 3 (Willock, Almiron x2) Southampton (Minamino, Ward-Prowse) - THREE points.

Manchester United 3 (Rashford, Fernandes, James) Newcastle United 1 (Saint-Maximin) - ZERO points.

Newcastle United 1 (Almiron) Leeds United 2 (Raphinha, Harrison) - ZERO points.

WEST BROM (for Watford) 0 Newcastle United 0 - ONE point.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (Jiminez) Newcastle United 1 (Murphy) - ONE point.

Newcastle United 2 (Joelinton, Willock) Tottenham Hotspur (Kane x2) - ONE point.

Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle United 2 (Wilson, Joelinton) - THREE points.

In total, from the corresponding fixtures last season, with West Brom traded in for Watford, Steve Bruce’s Magpies managed to claim 12 points.

I’m sure if they achieved the same again, there’d be plenty of smiling faces on Tyneside, despite the off field clouds that circle St James’ Park.

Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle looks on during the pre-season friendly between Burton Albion and Newcastle United at the Pirelli Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

How many points did Newcastle United have from their opening nine games last season?

Newcastle claimed 11 points from their opening nine games last season.

Three wins - at West Ham and two at home to Burnley and Everton - was supplemented with two draws at Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves. Both courtesy of late equalisers.

United lost their four other games against Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United, Southampton and Chelsea.

And where did they eventually finish?

United completed the Premier League season with a late, totally unforeseen surge up the division.

Having been in and around the bottom five for much of the campaign in 2021, Newcastle eventually ended the campaign in 12th position with 45 points.