Emmanuel Petit is backing Newcastle United to clinch a Champions League spot against their Premier League rivals. Since the 2003-04 campaign, the Magpies have not featured in Europe’s elite competition, when Partizan Belgrade eliminated Sir Bobby Robson’s men on penalties in the third qualifying round.
Almost two decades of mediocrity followed, with Newcastle absent from all UEFA competitions since 2012-13. However, the Saudi-backed takeover has fans dreaming of big European nights back at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe has Newcastle well placed in the Premier League ahead of the World Cup break. An impressive start to the season puts the Magpies in third place and, with Chelsea playing this weekend, that gap could increase further.
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Few Toon supporters in their wildest dreams could have expected Champions League football to return so soon after the takeover last October. Speaking to Lord Ping, the former Arsenal midfielder Petit advised Newcastle to do just that – at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and at the expense of Chelsea.
“For me, Man City will win the Premier League title,” he said. “Arsenal will finish second, Liverpool will finish third and I think Newcastle will beat Tottenham, Chelsea and Man United in fourth place.
“Chelsea need a reaction, they need to get points if they want to finish in the top four. The competition will be fierce and Chelsea are way off. No matter how they earn points, they just need to win.
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