The earliest date Newcastle United can be mathematically safe from Premier League relegation

Following Newcastle United’s 1-0 win against Wolves last Friday, it feels like a case of when - not if - Premier League safety will be secured.

Chris Wood’s 72nd-minute penalty lifted the Magpies 10 points above the drop zone, which stayed intact after defeats for Watford and Burnley against Leeds United and Norwich City, respectively.

Rewind the clock back a few months or so and it was almost impossible to envisage that United could guarantee survival with games to spare.

But after a strong January transfer window - including five new signings - and just three defeats in the last 10 matches has put Eddie Howe’s side within touching distance.

So, when is the earliest date Newcastle can be mathematically safe from Premier League relegation?

Well, this is a big long shot, but safety will be confirmed by Sunday, April 24 if Howe’s side beat Leicester City, Crystal Palace & Norwich City - and Watford and Burnley fail to win a game in that time.

Maximum points from United’s next three games would require Sean Dyche’s Clarets to pick no more than a point, and Roy Hodgson’s Hornets to collect no more than three points.

That would put Newcastle on 43 points and ensure survival with four games to spare with Burnley and Watford sitting on a maximum of 25 points ahead of their remaining five fixtures.

Indeed, Dyche’s side could only achieve a maximum points total of 40. The same applies to Watford.

Hodgson’s men play Brentford and Manchester City over the next two Saturdays. Meanwhile, Burnley face West Ham United and Southampton before hosting Wolves on Sunday, April 24.

And a favour from Bruno Lage’s men could confirm another season of top-flight football for Newcastle before they welcome title-chasing Liverpool to St James’ Park.

After that, United end the campaign with matches against Man City, Arsenal - their final home game of 2021/22 - and Burnley on the last day.

Admittedly, it’s a dream scenario and most definitely a tough ask. But it just goes to show that Premier League safety - mathematically speaking anyway - is just around the corner.