This is how many points Newcastle United need to clinch Champions League football - according to Opta

Champions League football is the big prize at stake for Newcastle United. With the Carabao Cup trophy in the bag, Eddie Howe and Co are going full throttle for a seat at UEFA’s top table.

As electrifying Wembley success was for supporters, the pot of cash for winning was small. A paltry £100,000 reward is small fry and barely covers a star player’s wages at Premier League level.

By contrast, Liverpool will reportedly net £80million despite being knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. For the Magpies to kick on, earning qualification among Europe’s elite is a must and would give them several aces up their sleeves.

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While attracting stars is one thing, the power to keep blue-chip assets like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes remains essential. Back-to-back wins against Brentford and Leicester City since the Carabao Cup final have put Newcastle in pole position to achieve exactly that.

They are currently joint fourth - level with Chelsea - but boast a game in hand. English clubs being given an additional Champions League spot means the top five will qualify next season.

How do the experts expect the Magpies to fare? NewcastleWorld profiled what stats boffins Opta are predicting will happen from now until May.

How many points do Newcastle United need to secure Champions League football?

Opta back Newcastle to finish the season on 66 points - one ahead of Manchester City. Interestingly, they give Pep Guardiola’s men (49.7 per cent) a slightly higher chance than the Magpies (47.4 per cent) of securing Champions League football. We’re not sure how that works!

Nottingham Forest are expected to hang on to their current position despite fears about a mounting treatment table. Arsenal and Liverpool make up Opta’s top five, with Chelsea - who travel to St James’ Park next month - finishing sixth.

Eddie Howe sent Champions League message to Newcastle United players

Howe believes his Newcastle players should want to play Champions League football at St James' Park - not anywhere else. He said in January: “Those players you’re talking about need to perform to confirm that they want to play there (Champions League), that they want to play there with us - that has to be the aim and the ambition, not looking elsewhere.

“The determination and resolve within the squad that I have seen in recent weeks has been very strong. They have been hugely motivated. We have put a great run together and have put ourselves in a great position.

“But this is the important part of the season now. We’re coming down to the games where we need to keep winning, to keep the run of form and stay in and around where we are and really push. So the message to them is to focus on that.”

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