It is less than a month until Newcastle United are back in competitive action as they welcome newly-promoted Southampton to St James’ Park on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Magpies finished seventh last term but were denied a spot in the Europa Conference League following Manchester United’s victory in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Eddie Howe’s side qualified for the Champions League in their last campaign without European football and will be aiming to clinch a spot in some form of European competition come the end of the upcoming campaign.
Clubs are continuing with their transfer business with further deals expected to follow after the conclusion of Euro 2024 and Copa America. Newcastle have secured a permanent deal for last season’s loanee Lewis Hall while Lloyd Kelly has joined on a free transfer. John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos have also arrived to bolster the club’s goalkeeping department.
As clubs continue their transfer business, we have done the unenviable job of trying to predict how the Premier League table will look come May - and where Newcastle might finish compared to their rivals. Take a look...

5. 16th: Nottingham Forest
A four-point deduction last season raised concerns of relegation, predicted to be in the battle again but will remain in the Premier League. Have already got to business with the likes of Elliot Anderson and Eric da Silva Moreiro joining the club. | Getty Images

6. 15th: Fulham
Have lost some key players with Joao Palhinha heading to Bayern Munich while Bobby Decordova-Reid and Tosin have signed for Leicester and Chelsea respectively after rejecting new deals at Craven Cottage. | Getty Images

7. 14th: Brighton
Placed 11th last term, but there was only three points between 10th and 14th. Predicted to finish lower down this term. | Getty Images

8. 13th: Wolves
Have already signed four players this window after Max Kilman departed for West Ham. Predicted to finish one spot higher than last season's 14th-placed finish. | Wolves via Getty Images