After going 14 games without a win, many Newcastle supporters were fearing the worst with the Magpies seemingly only heading one way, down. However, their remarkable 2022 saw Newcastle survive in the league with relative ease.
But cast your minds back to August and the landscape at St James’s Park could hardly have been more different.
Before their opening day game with West Ham, Newcastle had only added Joe Willock to their squad and were facing another season of struggle under Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley.
But what just was being predicted for Newcastle before a ball was kicked this season - and how does their 11th place finish compare to these predictions?
Here, we take a look at how each Premier League side finished in comparison to how the supercomputer, provided by FiveThirtyEight, forecast they fare this season:
Before their opening day game with West Ham, Newcastle had only added Joe Willock to their squad and were facing another season of struggle under Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley.
5. Arsenal
The supercomputer accurately predicted a 5th place finish for the Gunners this season, however, Mikel Arteta’s side did pick up nine more points than forecast. Pre-season prediction = 5th place, 60 points (+12 GD), 3% chance of winning Premier League, 27% chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Final standing = 5th place, 69 points (+13 GD). Difference = 0 places. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs started the season with Nuno Espirito-Santo in charge but the appointment of Antonio Conte transformed their fortunes, finishing two spots higher than the supercomputer’s pre-season predictions. Pre-season prediction = 6th place, 60 points (+11 GD), 3% chance of winning Premier League, 25% chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Final standing = 4th place, 71 points (+29 GD). Difference = +2 places. Photo: David Rogers
7. Leicester City
A good end to the season allowed the Foxes to finish just one spot below what was forecast in pre-season, however, European football will not be played at the King Power Stadium next year. Pre-season prediction = 7th place, 57 points (+7 GD), 2% chance of winning Premier League, 19% chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Final standing = 8th place, 52 points (+3 GD). Difference = -1 place. Photo: Naomi Baker
8. West Ham
For large parts of the season, the Hammers threatened to way exceed the supercomputer and end in a Champions League spot, alas, they had to settle for the Europa Conference League. Pre-season prediction = 8th place, 52 points (-2 GD), 11% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 9% chance of relegation. Final standing = 7th place, 56 points (+9 GD). Difference = +1 place. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst