Newcastle have managed to keep their hands on Rafa Benitez this summer after extensive rumours of West Ham’s interest in him earlier in the summer.
The Hammers eventually opted for Manuel Pellegrini to ensure the Magpies can continue improving under Benitez in the 2018/19 Premier League season.
With what was widely regarded to be a weak squad, Benitez guided Newcastle to a top half finish in their first season back in the Premier League following promotion but he will be desperate to improve his squad this summer to help prevent ‘second season syndrome.’
There will at least be a feel good factor around St. James’ Park going in to the new season after they thrashed Chelsea 3-0 on the final day of the 17/18 campaign, but they’ll be keen to start strongly this time out having lost their two opening fixtures last season.
Their opening fixtures of the 2018/19 Premier League season, now officially confirmed, will give Newcastle fans an indication of how likely that is…
11th August – Tottenham (H)
18th August – Cardiff (A)
25th August – Chelsea (H)
1st September – Manchester City (A)
15th September – Arsenal (H)
22nd September – Crystal Palace (A)
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255847″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Newcastle’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
Verdict
This couldn’t really have been more difficult for Newcastle. The Magpies will play four of the top clubs in the country in the opening six games, with the only saving grace being the fact that only one of those matches will be away from home – the Manchester City game on September 1st.
Even the other two games are difficult, however: an away trip to a buoyant Cardiff City side who will be stoked for their first home game of their season after promotion, and away to Crystal Palace, who are a more than decent outfit under Roy Hodgson.
Last season, Newcastle beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea at St James’s Park though. And despite the difficulty level of the opening games, Rafael Benitez will be confident that his side can pick up a respectable number of points and go into an easier period of the season in good nick.
