Tottenham Hotspur will head into the final few weeks of the season with a place in the top four of the Premier League still up for grabs.
It has been another disappointing campaign for Tottenham, with the team failing to mount a serious challenge for major silverware.
Spurs went into the 2022/23 season with high hopes of ending their recent trophy drought, but things have not gone to plan.
They were fancied by top bookmakers in the United Kingdom and Ireland to win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but made early exits from both competitions.
Leading online betting sites in Ireland also tipped Tottenham to make progress in the Champions League, but they were dumped out in the last-16 by AC Milan.
Finishing in the top four is the only thing Tottenham can salvage from the season and they are undoubtedly capable of getting the job done.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United look nailed on to finish in the top three, leaving several clubs fighting for the other Champions League qualification spot.
Tottenham are currently fourth in the Premier League table, two points ahead of Newcastle United having played two games more.
Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford are next in the standings and cannot be ruled of the race to finish in the top four.
However, Newcastle will likely be the biggest threat to Tottenham’s hopes of finishing in the top four given their form this season.
The newly-minted Magpies have been in contention throughout the campaign, losing just three of their 26 outings to date.
While they are they lowest scorers in the top eight, their tally of 19 goals conceded is the best in the Premier League by a considerable distance.
They have bounced back from the disappointment of losing in the Carabao Cup final to win two of their last three games in the Premier League.
With two games in hand on Tottenham, Eddie Howe’s side will fancy their chances securing at top four spot at the end of the season.
Newcastle’s remaining fixtures suggests that may be easier said than done, with their upcoming schedule littered with tricky games.
Matches against Manchester United (H), West Ham United (A), Brentford (A) and Aston Villa (A) are all potential banana skins during April.
By contrast, Tottenham will expect to grab a healthy points haul from fixtures against Everton (A), Brighton (H) and Bournemouth (H).
If Tottenham can safely navigate that run of games, they would travel north to Newcastle on April 23 in a confident mood.
That game will likely be pivotal in the race for the top four and Tottenham are certainly capable of winning at St James’ Park.
They have won four and drawn one of their last five league matches at Newcastle – a record they will be eager to enhance next month.
Both teams have some testing games after that encounter, but if Tottenham can leave Newcastle still inside the top four they would be a good bet to stay there.