Newcastle forecast to improve on last season
Rafa Benitez said it would be a “miracle” if Newcastle United stayed up last season.
Yet the team did just that with 45 points.
Not many fans thought that that 13th-placed finish would be eclipsed under Steve Bruce when he was controversially appointed as Benitez’s managerial successor last summer.
Bruce’s side were 13th in the table with 35 points following a 1-0 win at Southampton when the Premier League was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Opta have simulated the rest of the season using a wealth of data – and the results are interesting.
Newcastle are forecast to take another 11 points and end the season in 13th place with 46 points.
This season’s remaining fixtures, however, could yet get played on the field and, in that case, it will be up to Bruce and his players to pick up where they left off at the St Mary’s Stadium last month.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos is on United’s transfer radar, according to a report.
Morelos is being tracked by a clutch of clubs after a prolific season north of the border.
The 23-year-old, said to be rated in the £35millionbracket, is a target for Newcastle as well as Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Leicester City, according to Goal.
United have closed their recruitment and scouting department during the coronavirus pandemic.
Head of recruitment Steve Nickson drew up a list of targets before he was furloughed by the club last week.