Paul Jenkins/ActionPlus/CorbisNewcastle are fortunate that out of the eight games they have left to play, half are against teams in the bottom half of the table. Drawing against Sunderland in the Tyne Wear derby was not a great result for either side, but a defeat would have seen them four points adrift from safety. Aleksandar Mitrovic's equaliser could prove to be vital when the season ends. Newcastle's next game is arguably as big as the derby. They head to Carrow Road to face a Norwich side who are also locked in the relegation battle, but find themselves just above water after a 1-0 win over West Brom. A win against Alex Neil's team will close the gap that the Canaries have opened up, and could be a catalyst for Newcastle going forward. The Magpies also have home games against Swansea City and Crystal Palace who sit 15th and 16th respectively. With Alan Pardew's side in free fall, having not won a league game in 2016, a Newcastle win could drag their former manager's side into the dogfight and increase their chances of survival. The big issue for Newcastle is that their final game of the season is against 2nd placed Tottenham Hotspur. If Spurs are still in the title race on the last day, and Newcastle's fate is not yet sealed, it could spell relegation for Bentiez's men.
