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:
9. Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton’s fantastic season surprised a lot of on-lookers, but clearly not the supercomputer which predicted exactly where Brighton would finish and how many points Graeme Potter’s side would pick up. Pre-season prediction = 9th place, 51 points (-2 GD), 9% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 9% chance of relegation. Final standing = 9th place, 51 points (-2 GD). Difference = 0. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst
10. Aston Villa
The supercomputer predicted that Villa would build on a good season last year, however, the Villains were unable to do that and finished a disappointing 14th under new boss Steven Gerrard. Pre-season prediction = 10th place, 50 points (-4 GD), 9% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 10% chance of relegation. Final standing = 14th place, 45 points (-2 GD). Difference = -4 places. Photo: Stu Forster
11. Leeds United
Leeds secured their Premier League safety on the last day of the season. The supercomputer predicted that they wouldn’t be anywhere near a relegation battle this season. Pre-season prediction = 11th place, 50 points (-4 GD), 8% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 10% chance of relegation. Final standing = 17th place, 38 points (-37 GD). Difference = -6 places. Photo: Alex Davidson
12. Everton
Everton’s record of being an ever-present Premier League club looked under threat for the majority of the season before they survived with a game to go. The supercomputer had forecast a mid-table finish for the Toffees. Pre-season prediction = 12th place, 50 points (-4 GD), 8% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 10% chance of relegation. Final standing = 16th place, 39 points (-23 GD). Difference = -4 places. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane