Newcastle have achieved their pre-season ambition of retaining their Premier League status for another year but have seen performances dip since then, suffering back-to-back 1-0 defeats at the hands of Everton and West Brom.
The Magpies are fighting for a spot in the top-half of the Premier League standings and travel to face Watford, another side eyeing a similar position, at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
While Rafael Benitez will be looking for his side to return to winning ways, BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson suggests they will fall short of that mark as he’s predicted a third defeat in a row for the Tyneside outfit.
Backing Watford to win 2-0, the former Liverpool defender said:
“Watford actually played quite well in their defeat by Tottenham last week, but they have now gone seven games without a win. Newcastle lost at home to West Brom and it is a bit like they are on the beach since they hit the 40-point mark.”
“It very difficult for Magpies manager manager Rafael Benitez to change that because, deep down, he will know they are safe and it is job done. The players will know it too and the thing about the Premier League is that, if you are not quite at it, you get turned over. That is why I am backing Watford here.”
