Newcastle United’s remaining Premier League fixtures compared to Liverpool & Man United

The race for Champions League qualification is threatening to go down to the final day after Newcastle United were held a 2-2 draw at Leeds United on Saturday.

Eddie Howe’s men recovered from 1-0 down at Elland Road to lead following two Callum Wilson penalties. However, Rasmus Kristensen’s equaliser, 11 minutes from the end, prevented a win.

The Magpies remain third in the Premier League table, tied on points (66) with Manchester United after their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers - but both teams continue look over their shoulder.

Fifth-place Liverpool, who have pulled together a six-game winning streak, travel to Leicester City on Monday night and are heavily tipped to beat their relegation-threatened hosts.

In the event that Jurgen Klopp’s Reds claim maximum points between now and the end of the campaign, Newcastle require six points from their remaining three games to mathematically guarantee a return to Europe’s elite after a 20-year absence.

What’s Eddie Howe said about the top four battle?

Speaking after the draw at Elland Road, Howe said: “Possibly [could go down to the wire]. Who knows? It’s difficult to predict anything in football. You seen that today. We’re prepared for that, if it does. That will be what we have to do. It’s still in our hands, we have three huge games to come.

“Sometimes you have to take yourself back to the start of the season and what we would have thought to be in this position now. Everyone at the club would have taken that. It’s in our hands and we have to be very positive about what’s ahead.”

Newcastle host back-to-back home game against Brighton and Hove Albion and Leicester City. Wins in both of fixtures will seal a top four finish before the final day visit to Chelsea.

Howe added: “Every time we play at home is an opportunity to win because of the conditions, the arena, the support, the confidence.

“We’ve down really well at home this season. We love to play there. We go into those two games with belief we can get the job done but it’s never that easy, and that showed today.”

Remaining fixture

Newcastle United (3rd) - 66 points, +32 goal difference

Remaining fixtures: Brighton & Hove Albion (H) 18/05, Leicester City (H) 22/05, Chelsea (A) 28/05.

Average current league position of opposition: 12. Maximum possible points total: 75

Manchester United (4th) - 66 points, +10 goal difference

Remaining fixtures: Bournemouth (A) 20/05, Chelsea (H) 25/10, Fulham (H) 28/05.

Average current league position of opposition: 11.3. Maximum possible points total: 75

Liverpool (5th) - 62 points, +25 goal difference

Remaining fixtures: Leicester City (A) 15/05, Aston Villa (H) 20/05, Southampton (A) 28/05.

Average current league position of opposition: 15.3. Maximum possible points total: 71

Brighton and Hove Albion (8th) - 55 points, +18 goal difference

Remaining fixtures: Arsenal (A) 14/05, Newcastle United (A) 18/05, Southampton (H) 21/05, Manchester City (H) 24/05, Aston Villa (A) 28/05.

Average current league position of opposition: 6.6. Maximum possible points total: 70

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