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EDDIE HOWE'S MAGPIES HAVE SOME HUGE GAMES ON THE HORIZON HAS THEY LOOK TO GET BACK ON TRACK 15:00, 28 Dec 2023Updated 15:13, 28 Dec 2023 Newcastle United head into 2024 knowing they

must correct their slump in Premier League form if they have want to play European football again next season. The Magpies' Champions League campaign came to an agonising end with

defeat at home to AC Milan earlier this month - with qualification for the knockout stages in their grasp. While the common consensus was that Newcastle were well ahead of schedule with

their top-four finish last season, there's no doubt that the bar has been raised this time around. Champions League qualification again would be another remarkable achievement, but

Eddie Howe and Co will definitely not want to miss out on European football of any kind next term. As such, they will have to better the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and possibly

Tottenham when it comes to Premier League places this season. Defeats to Luton Town and Nottingham Forest have derailed that bid somewhat, and they start the new year with a difficult run of

fixtures. However, while Howe and Co will be confident of rising to the challenge, here's who they and their Premier League rivals will face, starting with a trip to Anfield. READ

MORE: THE EYE-WATERING LOAN FEE IT WOULD COST NEWCASTLE UNITED TO LAND KALVIN PHILLIPS READ MORE: NEWCASTLE UNITED BOSS PLAYS DOWN 2022/23 SLOGAN USED BY PLAYERS AND CEO LIVERPOOL (A),

JANUARY 1 There aren't many tougher places to start 2024. Newcastle have a wretched record at Anfield and to make matters worse, Jurgen Klopp's side went top of the table with

their 2-0 win at Burnley. Article continues below Liverpool do have some injury issues, but will still have Mo Salah available before he heads off for the African Cup of Nations. Andy

Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas' injuries mean Klopp has a hole to fill at left-back, but Newcastle will know that anything but a defeat on Merseryside will be seen as a positive result.

MANCHESTER CITY (H), JANUARY 13 Once Liverpool - and that FA Cup trip to Sunderland - are out of the way, then it's only reigning Premier League and European champions Manchester City

up next in the first game at St James' Park of 2024. City may have been out of form by their standards in recent weeks, but have just won the Club World Cup and returned to domestic

action with a 3-1 win over Everton. Key players Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne could be back to face Newcastle too, as if this fixture wasn't hard enough. On the plus side, United

have already beaten City on home soil this season, with the 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's men in the Carabao Cup third round. We'll take a repeat scoreline thank you very much.

ASTON VILLA (A), JANUARY 30 Another week and another test against an in-form side, with Villa boasting a senseational home record under Unai Emery. They may have seen a two-goal lead

disappear in defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day, but Villa have strong top-four hopes. United were blown away in the same fixture last season in what was a rare off day, and will need

to be at their very best at Villa Park. It feels like a long time ago now, but Newcastle romped to a 5-1 win over Villa on the opening day of the season. Can they exploit the famous Villa

high defensive line again? LUTON TOWN (H), FEBRUARY 3 If those first three Premier League fixtures of 2024 are testing, then Newcastle will hope for some respite - and revenge - in their

next two. Luton outfought the Magpies in the 1-0 defeat at Kenilworth Road, but surely it will be a different story in front of 52,000 at St James' Park? By then the transfer window

will be shut and, who knows, Howe may even have the likes of Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson to call upon after prolonged injury spells. Newcastle must win these games if they

have any hopes of a strong second half to the season. NOTTINGHAM FOREST (H), FEBRUARY 10 Revenge will be in the air too when they head to the City Ground in February. United were well on

top for the first 45 minutes against Forest on Boxing Day but with only Alexander Isak's penalty to show for their efforts, failed to heed the warnings and allowed the visitors back

into the game through Chris Wood just before the break. The Kiwi striker went on to complete his hat-trick against his old club in front of a shell-shocked St James' crowd, but there

can be no repeat this time around. MAN UNITED NEXT FIVE FIXTURES Nottingham Forest (A) - December 30 Tottenham (H) - January 14 Wolves (A) - February 1 West Ham (H) - February 3 Aston Villa

(A) - February 11 TOTTENHAM NEXT FIVE FIXTURES Brighton (A) - December 28 Bournemouth (H) - December 31 Manchester United (A) - January 14 Brentford (H) - January 31 Everton (A) - February 3

BRIGHTON NEXT FIVE FIXTURES Tottenham (H) - December 28 West Ham (A) - January 2 Wolves (H) - January 22 Luton (A) - January 30 Crystal Palace (H) - February 4 WEST HAM NEXT FIVE FIXTURES

Arsenal (A) - December 28 Brighton (H) - January 2 Sheffield United (A) - January 21 Bournemouth (H) - February 1 Man United (A) - February 3 CHELSEA NEXT FIVE FIXTURES Luton (A) - December

30 Fulham (H) - January 13 Liverpool (A) - January 31 Wolves (H) - February 4 Crystal Palace (A) - February 12 Article continues below NEWCASTLE UNITED TRANSFER NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE

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