'Newcastle fans won't want me to say this' - Jeff Stelling makes top six claim after late Toon win over Crystal Palace

The Magpies picked up three points with a late 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Friday night thanks to goals from Callum Wilson and Joelinton.

After that result, Steve Bruce’s men now head into a favourable run of fixtures against Aston Villa, West Brom, Leeds United, and Fulham – with the latter three clubs all beneath the Toon Army in the table, and Dean Smith’s men struggling to pick up points at home.

Taking all of that into consideration, Stelling has touted the prospect of an unlikely surge towards a Europa League qualification spot.

Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Soccer Saturday, the host said: “When you look at the fixtures to come, they’ve got Villa away next – and we know Villa can’t win at home at the moment.

"Then they’ve got West Brom, Leeds, and Fulham.

"I mean, Newcastle fans won’t want me to say this, but they could be sixth, seventh, eighth in the Premier League table by then.”

Responding to Stelling, former England right-back Glen Johnson said: “They could be, but you’ve got to put the performances in.

"We know what this league is like, it's very tough. Anybody can beat anybody on their given day if somebody doesn’t turn up.

"Look, they’re four fantastic fixtures, and the Newcastle guys will be rubbing their hands together, but they’ve still got to put the performances together. I fancy them to get at least two wins.

"Unfortunately for Newcastle, they don’t always play as well as you would expect.”