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:
13. Wolves
Wolves were predicted to struggle in Bruno Lage’s first season in charge. They largely exceeded these expectations, although a disappointing end to the campaign means they missed out on European football. Pre-season prediction = 13th place, 46 points (-9 GD), 5% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 15% chance of relegation. Final standing = 10th place, 51 points (-5 GD). Difference = +3 places. Photo: Catherine Ivill
14. Newcastle United
Although Newcastle finished only a few places above the supercomputer’s pre-season predictions, that wasn’t the story of their season with the Magpies battling relegation for most of it, before a wonderful end to the campaign. Pre-season prediction = 14th place, 44 points (-15 GD), 3% chance of qualifying for the Champions League, 22% chance of relegation. Final standing = 11th place, 49 points (-18 GD). Difference = +3 places. Photo: George Wood
15. Southampton
Southampton had another solid season in the top-flight and largely performed as the supercomputer predicted they would. Pre-season prediction = 15th place, 43 points (-15 GD), 22% chance of relegation. Final standing = 15th place, 40 points (-24 GD). Difference = 0 places. Photo: Naomi Baker
16. Burnley
The supercomputer forecasted another season of struggle for Burnley before their traditional escape at the end of the season, of course, we know that’s not how it panned out this season. Pre-season prediction = 16th place, 41 points (-18 GD), 28% chance of relegation. Final standing = 18th place, 35 points (-19 GD). Difference = -2 places. Photo: Gareth Copley