Simon Jordan makes ‘unstoppable force’ Newcastle United claim - and delivers top four prediction

Simon Jordan believes Newcastle United will ‘start a revolution’ if they secure a European place in the Premier League this season.

The former Crystal Palace owner made a £1,000 bet with fellow talkSPORT host Jim White over the Magpies chances of finishing their first full season under the ownership of the PIF-led consortium in a top six place.

That would see United return to European competition for the first time in a decade and thoughts of trips to the continent have moved a step closer after a highly impressive opening three months to the season.

Eddie Howe’s side have lost just one of their opening 13 games of the season and are currently unbeaten in their last eight games. Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Aston Villa strengthened the Magpies grip on a top four place and they currently lie just two points shy of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

With just three games to go until the break for the World Cup Finals, it seems likely United will head into the festive period in a European place - and Jordan has admitted he could be proved wrong if Howe’s men continue their impressive form into the new year.

He said: “Right now what they’ve got is everything going in the right direction, they’ve got huge momentum and they’re becoming an unstoppable force - it’ll be interesting to see what the immovable object is, whether it’s Manchester City or the top four being difficult to break into. But right now, everything is in the right direction.

“If Newcastle do it (get into the top four) and get into Europe in their first season, they will start a revolution. There’s this argument that they can’t do it, this argument that they’ve got ceilings - Graeme (Souness)is probably right, they’ve only bought a football club for £350 million.

“Todd Boehly has just gone and bought Chelsea for £2.5 billion, these lot have bought one for £350 million, got it for cheap so they’ll go after it. Look, I think my bet is shaky. I think that with the way this Premier League season is panning out, unless some certain teams start to buck their ideas up, I’m going to be ponying up £1000.”

Newcastle return to action on Sunday afternoon when they make the long trip to Southampton.