How many points do Newcastle United need to avoid Premier League relegation? A look back over the last 10 years
But until the Magpies reach that magic mark that ensures Premier League safety, fears will remain on Tyneside.
The 40-point tally is one often mentioned by pundits, but is that really the safety barrier for safety?
Here’s a look at the total needed over the last 10 years – and the numbers are lower than you might think.
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Here’s a look at the total needed over the last 10 years – and the numbers are lower than you might think.
5. 15/16 - 38
The great escape - well, for Sunderland. And at Newcastle United's expense. The least said about that the better. Sam Allardyce's Black Cats ended the season with 39 points to bitter rivals Newcastle's 37, with both teams winning nine games apiece and with respective goal differences of -14 and -21. While United bounced back to the top flight at the first attempt - and have remained there ever since - their rivals from down the road dropped the following year, and then again to bottom out in League One. Photo: Ian MacNicol
6. 14/15 - 36
Aston Villa narrowly avoided relegation, if their stay of execution was only another season, by remaining ahead of Hull City. Villa amassed 38 points and finished the campaign three points ahead of the Tigers, who ended on 35. They also won 10 games compared to Hull's eight although the team who failed to beat the drop did have the better goal difference, -18 to -26. Photo: Jan Kruger
7. 13/14 - 34
After the relative highs of the previous three seasons (see the next slides) the total needed to remain a top flight outfit dropped considerably in 2013/14. Norwich City dropped into the Championship with 33 points from their 38 games, winning eight games with a particularly poor goal difference of -34. On the other hand, West Brom finished 17th with 36 points, a three-point buffer, despite only claiming seven wins in the season. Their goal difference was -16. Photo: IAN KINGTON
8. 12/13 - 37
While the Black Cats beat the drop at the expense of Newcastle United in 2016, they did so ahead of Wigan Athletic in 2013, too. Sunderland finished the season on 39, but only ever needed 37, due to Wigan only reaching the 36-point mark. Both teams won a total of nine games each, while Sunderland's -13 goal difference was considerably better than Wigan's at -26. Photo: Matthew Lewis