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“What Is He Saying Now? Merson’s Confusing Newcastle Verdict Before Everton Clash
Newcastle United Must Beat Everton to Secure Champions League Spot
Newcastle United’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League now hinge on the final game of the Premier League season, after a narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s squad traveled to North London needing a win to virtually guarantee a top-five finish, but a second-half goal from Declan Rice proved to be the difference.
Now, Newcastle face Everton at St James’ Park in a must-win match this coming Sunday. Victory will confirm their place in the Champions League.
Any other result means they’ll have to depend on other teams slipping up.
Currently, Newcastle sit third in the table, level on 66 points with both fourth-place Chelsea and fifth-place Aston Villa, with only goal difference separating the sides.
Manchester City, in sixth, trail by a single point but have a game in hand against AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday. Nottingham Forest, in seventh, are just one point behind the top five on 65 points.
The final day fixtures could dramatically reshape the standings: Chelsea visit Nottingham Forest, Villa travel to Manchester United, and Manchester City head to Fulham.
Paul Merson Revises Newcastle Prediction
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who initially predicted Newcastle would lose 3-1 to Arsenal and face a tough battle for Champions League qualification, has since changed his tune.
In a previous column for Sports Keeda, Merson argued that a loss to Arsenal would put Newcastle in a difficult position, especially with what he considered the hardest final fixture among the contenders.
However, speaking on Sky Sports after the Arsenal match, Merson expressed confidence that Newcastle would secure qualification, mainly because Everton—currently 13th in the table—have little at stake.
“I think Newcastle are safe,” Merson said. “And I only say that because Everton don’t have much to play for. My real concern is Manchester City.”
He added: “City have failed to score in their last two matches. They face Bournemouth next, which could be tricky. If they don’t get a result there, the pressure’s on.
Right now, control of their fate only lies with Newcastle, Chelsea, and City. That’s all you can ask for at this stage—having it in your own hands.”
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