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...

17. 4th: Manchester United
A disappointing league campaign last time out but the season ended on a high with victory in the FA Cup final. This summer transfer window will prove key but United have already proven they can be contenders for a Champions League spot under Erik ten Hag and are predicted to improve on last term's disappointing league run. | Manchester United via Getty Imag

18. 3rd: Liverpool
It is all change at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp's departure from the club. New manager Arne Slot has his work cut out but the Reds were comfortably third last season and have enough quality to repeat that, with second or first still feeling a step too far. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images

19. 2nd: Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's side have won six of the last seven league titles and their triumph last season was their fourth in a row. It was the first time an English club had completed such a feat as Arsenal pushed them to the final. However, doing it for a fifth time could prove a challenge and it's predicted they will come up just short. | Getty Images

20. 1st: Arsenal
After two seasons of finished second, it's predicted Arsenal will finally end their wait for another Premier League title. The Gunners made some key signings last summer and if they repeat that success on the transfer front, they have a strong chance of dethroning Manchester City. | AFP via Getty Images