Premier League history suggests Newcastle United's survival quest is almost complete

Newcastle United have given themselves a brilliant chance of securing Premier League survival despite losing both of their last two matches. The Magpies sit nine points clear of the relegation zone with three teams between them and the trio of clubs currently sat in the drop zone.

There is still work to be done for Eddie Howe and his players in their next nine games but they shouldn’t need too many more positive results to confirm survival. The magical 40-point total that is often associated with staying in the top flight is just three wins away from Newcastle, although it is likely that a lesser tally would be enough.

Judging by the average points tallies accumulated by the 18th-placed Premier League sides since it became a 20-team league in 1995/96, a couple of victories would be plenty. In the last 23 seasons, the team that has finished 18th has, on average, finished with 35.65 points.

If that average was to be followed this term, it would mean United require just five more points, something that should be very comfortable given the recent form. Howe’s side could certainly count themselves unfortunate to come away from the trips to both Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park empty-handed considering the chances they had.

Luckily, those results didn’t have too much of an effect though after the form that preceded those defeats had put significant distance between the Magpies and the bottom three. After the trip to face Tottenham in the first match that follows the upcoming international break, a trio of home games await United with each of them being winnable.

Wolves, Leicester and then Crystal Palace all travel north in a 12-day period before Newcastle make the trip to Norwich. Considering Liverpool, Manchester City and