Despite back-to-back-to-back victories over Watford, Bournemouth and Burnley propelling Newcastle United to 13th in the Premier League table – having languished in the relegation zone for much of the season so far – Rafa Benitez’s side remain braced for a season-long battle to stave off relegation.
Such is the congestion in the bottom-half of the table, the Magpies are still only four points above 18th placed Southampton. At this stage of the season, every round of fixtures has a transformative effect on league positions and Newcastle will need to continue to string together a series of positive results to propel them to safety.
Currently, bookmaker Ladbrokes have Newcastle as fifth favourites to go down at best-available odds of 4/1. There are some decent enhanced odds offers available on the same outcome across several bookmaker sites as well, which are certainly worth checking out.
Returning from the November international break, Newcastle travelled to Burnley on Monday looking for a third-straight league win, where they were a best-priced 2/1 with William Hill to pick up all three points.
It is approaching the busy festive period of fixtures that may concern Newcastle fans however, particularly with how well their squad is equipped for what looks to be a difficult run.
In the five-week stretch between Boxing Day and February 2nd, the Geordies will have away fixtures at Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, while having to entertain both Manchester United and Manchester City at St James’ Park.
That while also having to navigate the FA Cup third round in early January, as well as a clash with fellow strugglers Cardiff and a tough away day at the currently over-performing Watford.
If Newcastle are going to pull themselves away from a battle with relegation by the end of that run then it may well depend on whether they can bring in reinforcements in January. The squad is light at present, so even though Mike Ashley may be reluctant to release his purse-strings, you would suggest that Newcastle need to invest if they are to survive.
So with that in mind, who could Newcastle realistically sign in January?
It’s been no secret that Benitez has wanted the club to sign a creative midfielder for some time, but in the current market such a player would demand a handsome fee.
A detailed look at who’s available does reveal some viable options however; whether they are players out of contract and thus available for a cut-price fee that Ashley might go for, or are presently warming the bench at their current clubs.
21-year-old West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke is likely to be sold by the Baggies in the January window as the club look to remould their squad and reinvest to fund their promotion push.
Despite not featuring for West Brom in the league this season, Burke scored in his only appearance in the Carabao Cup this term and has shown potential in his career so far, also picking up invaluable experience at RB Leipzig. Under Benitez, maybe the young winger could flourish?
Newcastle could also use another goal scorer to complement Salomon Rondon and using Rafa’s connections at Liverpool, maybe he could tempt Dominic Solanke into a move? The young England international has struggled to break into the first team at Anfield and looks desperate for regular game-time.
One way or another, fresh blood will be needed on Tyneside in the New Year.
