Newcastle United remain in the race for a Champions League place despite suffering an underwhelming run of form over the last two months.
Eddie Howe’s men currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table after falling to a 2-0 defeat at reigning champions Manchester City at the weekend - but they are still within touching distance of fourth place after Tottenham Hotspur were beaten at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
With the season now heading into its final two months and the race for the top four quickly hotting up, thoughts are quickly turning towards what points total United may need to return to the Champions League for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson was in the dugout and the likes of Nolberto Solano, Laurent Robert and Alan Shearer were shining at St James Park.
NewcastleWorld takes a look back at the last 11 Premier League seasons and assesses what points totals were enough to secure fourth place and predicts what will be required at the end of the current campaign.
With the season now heading into its final two months and the race for the top four quickly hotting up, thoughts are quickly turning towards what points total United may need to return to the Champions League for the first time since Sir Bobby Robson was in the dugout and the likes of Nolberto Solano, Laurent Robert and Alan Shearer were shining at St James Park.
5. 2015/16: 66 points
Disaster for United as they were relegated into the Championship in the same season Leicester City became Premier League champions and Manchester City edged out local rivals Manchester United for the fourth and final Champions League place. Photo: Getty Images
6. 2016/17: 76 points
The Magpies watched on from afar as they won the Championship. Liverpool ended the season in fourth place with 76 points in a season five clubs secured qualification for the Champions League after Manchester United lifted the Europa League. Photo: Getty Images
7. 2017/18: 75 points
The Magpies first season back in the Premier League ended with a tenth place finish - and Liverpool landed fourth place and a Champions League spot with 75 points. Photo: Getty Images
8. 2018/19: 71 points
A lower mid-table finish for the Magpies - and it was Spurs that nicked fourth place at the expense of North London rivals Arsenal with 71 points. Photo: Getty Images