Gary Neville claims Newcastle will FALL AWAY in the top four race

Gary Neville claims Newcastle will FALL AWAY and be beaten by Tottenham’s greater ‘quality and experience’ in the race for Champions League qualification – with the Magpies growth then to be ‘held back’ by financial fair play

  • Gary Neville suggested Newcastle will not hang on to secure a top four finish
  • The Manchester United legend predicts Tottenham will edge Eddie Howe’s side
  • Neville claims missing out on the Champions League could delay their progress 

Gary Neville has claimed Newcastle will be unable to sustain their push for Champions League qualification, predicting Eddie Howe’s side will be beaten by Tottenham in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

Having lost just once in 21 Premier League games this season, Newcastle have their best chance to qualify for the Champions League since they last played in the competition in 2003-04 under Sir Bobby Robson.

Howe’s side currently have a single point advantage over fifth placed Tottenham, but also have a game in hand on the North London side.

Speaking on the Overlap Fan Debate, former Manchester United defender Neville suggested Howe was already getting the maximum out of his side, while Spurs’ greater quality and experience will shine through in the closing stages of the season.

‘Newcastle are at full pelt – they are at 100mph, they can’t run any faster than they are doing,’ Neville said.’ ‘Newcastle won’t be able to hang on as the season goes on and won’t finish in the top four.

Gary Neville has claimed Newcastle will be unable to hang on to secure a top four finish

Neville has backed Tottenham to pass Newcastle due to their greater quality and experience

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‘I hope they do; I think it will be unbelievable if they didn’t. Newcastle will fall away and to be fair, with the cup final coming up as well, they won’t hang on to the top four.

‘Tottenham will finish in the top four, over Newcastle. Tottenham have got so much in front of them, that it could be a good season.

‘Sunday was a big moment against Manchester City – Harry Kane breaking the record, winning that game against City, [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Heung-min] Son looked like he got his spark and speed back, he looked completely drained before, and you’ve got Richarlison back.

‘Spurs have got more quality and experience and will finish in the top four.’

The Magpies have been have been one of the league’s surprise packages this term following the completion of their Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund takeover in late 2021.

Newcastle will also look to end their 68-year wait for a major trophy in the Carabao Cup final on February 26.

Neville suggested the club’s fans and owners may be split on whether they would prefer to win the Carabao Cup or secure Champions League qualification.

The Sky Sports pundit claimed the owners may prefer to earn a top four finish, as the revenue increase Champions League qualification would bring could allow greater investment in the squad in line with financial fair play.

Neville suggested Newcastle’s owners may prefer a top four finish to winning the Carabao Cup

Neville claimed Eddie Howe’s side could be held back by FFP if they miss out on the top four

‘From a financial perspective, Newcastle will be held back by the fact that if they don’t increase their revenues, then they can’t spend more money,’ Neville said.

‘From a Champions League perspective, that’s massive for Newcastle to get up there and continue. 

‘If you spoke to the owners of the club, they would probably say something different to the fans, because they’d want that revenue coming in so they can sign the players they want next summer.’

Newcastle’s pursuit of Champions League football has been built on their outstanding defensive record, with only 12 goals conceded in 21 matches.

Howe had warned their pursuit of a top four spot would be difficult, after recording a fourth draw in their last five league matches against West Ham on Saturday.

The Magpies have only scored two league goals in the five match run, which has allowed Spurs to close the gap in the race for Champions League qualification. 


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