Paul Merson and Chris Sutton in agreement over outcome of Newcastle United vs Leicester City

Pundits are in agreement over Newcastle United’s chances against Leicester City on Monday night.

The Magpies are within touching distance of confirming Champions League qualification for next season, needing just one point from their last two games, the first of which takes place on Monday night. It should be an occasion to celebrate at St James’ Park, but you just never know in the Premier League.

Leicester are fighting for their Premier League lives at this stage, and they know defeat on Monday night would leave them all-but relegated.

The Foxes are three points from safety heading into their last two games, while the majority of the league has one game remaining. If Leicester win, they will move outside of the bottom three on goal difference ahead of their last clash of the season with West Ham. Meanwhile, defeat will leave them with just one possible way out of the bottom three on the last day. Leicester would need to win and hope Everton lose.

Despite that factor, Paul Merson is backing Newcastle to come out on top and comfortably, telling SportsKeeda: “Leicester City know what they've got to do. Leeds could win their game against West Ham and that will mean that The Foxes have to get positive results in both their remaining football matches. However, I think Leicester are going to get relegated this weekend.

“I don't see how Leicester can beat Newcastle United. After the first 10 minutes against Liverpool where they were decent, they got destroyed. If the Magpies win, there'll be huge celebrations at St. James' Park. Newcastle destroyed Brighton in midweek. They also decimated Tottenham not long ago. I don't see how Leicester can keep this rampant Newcastle United at bay.

“Leicester concede silly goals and are so poor at times and this could be the game which sees Newcastle secure a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Newcastle United 4-0 Leicester City.”

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is also confident about a Newcastle win, backing a 3-1 home victory.

He said: “Leicester have scored more goals than any other team in the bottom half of the table - and more than Aston Villa, who are eighth, too. The Foxes have some excellent attacking players, but their defence is just not good enough. Even the return of Jonny Evans, who is a real warrior, has not changed that.

“That’s why I don’t think they will be able to compete with Newcastle, who have got a top-four finish in their sights and could seal that here.”