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The Race for Top 4 – An Assessment

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As we enter the final stretch of the premier league for this season, the race for top 4 is looking mouth watering with Man City now leapfrogging Arsenal in first place while still having a game in hand, Newcastle on the verge of European football once again and Eric Ten Hag looking to secure Champions League football for Man United next season.

With just 4 game weeks left to go, 12 points up for grabs, the league looks set to run right down to the wire which for fans alike, is a dream scenario.

Today, we look at the run in and give our assessment of what we think the teams’ chances are of making top 4 and what they need to do to ensure that.

We have excluded Man City and Arsenal as they both have a 10-point gap already on 3rd.

 

Newcastle (3rd)

St James Park has been starved of European football for some time now with their last Champions League campaign was in the 2002/2003 season, but with the takeover and the new direction of the club, it is now looking inevitable that they will do it. Having won their last 3 league games and boasting the best defence in the league, there is plenty to suggest that Eddie Howe’s men will snap up third place this season. Eric Ten Hag’s Manchester United are the only problem to that with the Red Devils just two points behind with a game in hand on Newcastle. Having scored 13 goals in their previous 3 matches, Newcastle go into these final fixtures with heaps of much needed momentum to get them over the line.

 

Man United (4th)

A busy season for United with results being at both ends of the spectrum at times, yet still in The FA Cup having already won The Carabao Cup, Eric Tan Hag will be relying on the momentum and game management of key players to ensure a top 4 finish for United this season. With two games in hand and with favourable fixtures, this one could go right to the very end before we have the answers on who’s going to finish where. With midfield general Casemiro back in the squad after his suspension, that will bring more firepower back for the final stretch. The one thing that could hamper United’s run in is the sheer amount of games they have left to play, with 6 games left to play in the league and an FA Cup Final against Man City, the Red Devils have a lot of games left to play and an injury to a key player or burnout could affect their end to the season.

 

Liverpool (5th)

Much improved form over the last 5 games have put Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool right back into the race, 4 wins out of their last 5 and draws against Chelsea and Arsenal prior to that is what this Liverpool team have come to expect over the last few years. Injuries and inconsistencies have hampered the reds this year as they haven’t looked themselves this season, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent move into midfield in and out of possession seems to have been a masterstroke by Klopp with the narrative being there about Trent for years now. Similarly to what Pep is doing with moving one of his back 4 into the midfield when in possession pushing the back 4 to a back 3, Trent has been flying in this new role and with a big win over Tottenham, they will be going into the remaining games full of confidence and momentum.

 

Tottenham (6th)

Dropping into 6th shows that the inconsistent results have been Spurs downfall this season having won just 1 out of their previous 5 league games. However, AC Milan beating them in the Champions League in early March means they now only have the league to focus on which is only a benefit for them. Without a manager, they are having to rely on the togetherness of the squad and whilst Hugo Lloris is injured, vice-captain Harry Kane to get them firing and gain momentum going into the final 4 games. However their form over the last 5 games is nothing to get excited about, 3 losses, 1 draw, and 1 win and having conceded 16 goals in that time is a real concern and highlights the problems they are having on the pitch. The match against Liverpool excluding the first 20 minutes actually showed that Spurs can still compete with the leagues heavyweights in a much improved second half. If they can retain that spirit going into the final 4 games, they might be able to climb back up.

 

Aston Villa (7th)

Unai Emery has completely transformed this Villa side into a real threat as they look to continue their immaculate form into the last 4 games. Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings have been the main men for Villa with Watkins scoring 14 goals this season and Mings being the rock at the back as they have had fantastic defensive displays especially throughout April, 4 clean sheets out of 7. Sitting on equal points to Tottenham on 54, the remaining 4 games for Villa do see them play Tottenham, Liverpool, and Brighton which will be undeniably difficult to navigate but if they can pick up points along the way, they could have a great end to the season.

 

Brighton (8th)

Brighton have proved many doubters wrong this season, after losing Graham Potter to Chelsea early in the season, many predicted that Brighton would struggle without him and that it would be too much of an ask to retain their form, however De Zerbi has not only managed to prove doubters wrong by keeping Brighton as a real force in the league, but he has also improved them and got them playing with such speed and deadliness. Brighton still have 7 games to go due to postponements with cup ties affecting them the most, 7 games means 21 points is up for grabs however them 7 games are to be played almost back-to-back with games being every 3 or 4 days, and against some tough opposition. With games against Man United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, and Villa, 21 points are available and picking up anything against the heavy hitters of the league can see them elevate higher in the table.

 

Who do you think will finish in the top 4 and where – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

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Starbucks offer FREE COFFEES TODAY – DO YOU QUALITY FOR ONE?

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FREE NHS Starbucks coffee!

Today (Wednesday 6 December), as a festive thank you to NHS staff nationwide, we are giving away a 🎄free Tall beverage🎄 to all NHS workers in stores across the UK*.

Select hospitals without a nearby store will receive deliveries of Chilled Coffee and Premium Instant Coffee.

We will also be offering Caramel Waffles when a beverage is purchased by NHS staff at participating We Proudly Serve Starbucks® locations inside NHS hospitals (link below).

https://www.starbucks.co.uk/…/We%20Proudly%20Serve%20…

This offer forms part of our ongoing partnership with NHS Charities Together which supports NHS staff, communities and patients across the UK.

*Available on 06.12.23 only across stores in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. Store opening times vary. One free Tall handcrafted beverage per customer on presentation of a valid NHS ID card. Excludes bottled drinks. Non-transferable. No cash equivalent. Offer not valid on orders made via Starbucks® Delivers or via the Starbucks® UK app. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts including Starbucks® Rewards.

 

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You can see our predictions for game week 15 below….

 

You can see our thoughts on the upcoming SAFC vs NUFC derby game below and Adam discussing winding up SAFC fans recently

Follow the channel to stay fully up to date, for some big local videos and to support us!

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Odds on the next Sunderland manger – who do you think will come in?

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Sunderland Next Manager Odds - Who do you think will come in?

Sunderland late last night sacked Tony Mowbray as manager, they expressed gratitude to Tony and his assistant Mark Venus for their positive contributions over the past two seasons, stating that they will always be welcome back at the Stadium of Light and wishing them success in their future endeavors.

Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman praised Tony’s impact, acknowledging his high regard among players, staff, and supporters. Speakman highlighted Mowbray’s role in guiding the team to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and his significant contribution to team development. He emphasized that while a difficult decision, it aligns with the club’s ambition and strategy.

Sky bet have released the odds for who the next manager may be, let us know on our Facebook page who you think will be the next manager and join in the conversation…

Steven Schumacher
2/1
Julien Sablé
7/2
Paul Heckingbottom
7/2
John Eustace
6/1
Graham Potter
10/1
Kim Hellberg
10/1
Kevin Muscat
12/1
Nathan Jones
14/1
Francesco Farioli
16/1
Jesse Marsch
16/1
Kevin Phillips
16/1
Diego Martinez
20/1
Frank Lampard
20/1
Jim Goodwin
20/1
Lee Carsley
20/1
Patrick Vieira
20/1
Roy Keane
20/1
Thierry Henry
20/1
Gary Rowett
25/1
Jocelyn Gourvennec
25/1
Michael Duff
25/1
Neil Warnock
28/1
Aitor Karanka
33/1
Karl Robinson
33/1
Leam Richardson
33/1
Nigel Pearson
33/1
Steve Evans
33/1
Steve Bruce
40/1

The North East Youtube channel has launched a weekly Premier League Prediction show. Based at the Geordie Star in Newcastle we invite Adam Pearson in to both go through the talking points of the last weeks premier league fixtures and then give our predictions for the week ahead.

 

You can test your football knowledge against us, get your premier league predictions in before the first premier league game kicks off to be counted and anyone who beats r team we will credit on screen. Make this new feature a part of your weekends pre premier league tradition and get involved!

 

You can see our predictions for game week 15 below….

 

You can see our thoughts on the upcoming SAFC vs NUFC derby game below and Adam discussing winding up SAFC fans recently

Follow the channel to stay fully up to date, for some big local videos and to support us!

You can now download our FREE new app to stay fully up to date with all North East related news –  https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

North East Updates App - North East news - Newcastle Sunderland, Northumberland and Durham.

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Sunderland AFC has announced the departure of Head Coach Tony Mowbray

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Sunderland AFC has this evening parted company with Head Coach Tony Mowbray.

The Club expressed gratitude to Tony and his assistant Mark Venus for their positive contributions over the past two seasons, stating that they will always be welcome back at the Stadium of Light and wishing them success in their future endeavors.

Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman praised Tony’s impact, acknowledging his high regard among players, staff, and supporters. Speakman highlighted Mowbray’s role in guiding the team to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and his significant contribution to team development. He emphasized that while a difficult decision, it aligns with the club’s ambition and strategy.

Emphasizing the commitment to their long-term strategy for sustainability and success, Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus thanked Tony for his hard work and affirmed the club’s focus on implementing a high-performance culture and a strong playing identity.

The club reiterated the importance of fan support in their progress and invited supporters to the Stadium of Light during the festive period and into 2024.

During the interim period, Mike Dodds, supported by the existing coaching team, will oversee the first-team’s training and match preparations until the appointment of a new Head Coach is finalized.

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See our Interview with Newcastle United Youtuber Adam Pearson after he wound the Sunderland fans up following the news of the derby…

Click the image below to watch the video…
Adam Pearson Winds up Sunderland Fans

See the full video below…

See our thoughts on the draw….

 

We are supporting the Warm Christmas meal appeal – you can donate a warm Christmas meal to someone in need in Newcastle and the North East below..

Warm Christmas Meal Appeal North East – Help a Local Person in Need – NEoffers.co.uk

 

Warm Christmas Meal Appeal - Newcastle

 

Follow our YouTube for some big local videos and to support us!

You can now download our FREE new app to stay fully up to date with all North East related news –  https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

North East Updates App - North East news - Newcastle Sunderland, Northumberland and Durham.

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