This is how many points Newcastle United need to clinch Champions League football – according to Opta

The roar of celebration still echoes across Tyneside after Newcastle United’s triumphant Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool—a moment that ended a 70-year wait for domestic silverware.

The city remains awash with black-and-white euphoria, and the party is far from over. This weekend, thousands of jubilant supporters will line the streets to welcome their heroes home during an open-top bus parade, culminating in a massive celebration at Town Moor.

But as the champagne corks pop and the confetti settles, attention will quickly turn back to the Premier League, where an even greater prize awaits. With just ten games remaining, Newcastle stand on the brink of history.

Never before have the Magpies qualified for the Champions League and won a major trophy in the same season. Achieving this would make it their most successful campaign since their legendary 1927 league title win.

First up after the celebrations is a crucial midweek clash against Brentford at St. James’ Park—giving Eddie Howe’s squad just three days to shake off any lingering hangovers and refocus. The question on everyone’s lips: Can they really pull off this unprecedented double?

According to Opta’s projections, Newcastle are expected to finish the season with 64 points—enough to secure a fifth-place finish. While fifth would typically mean Europa League football, UEFA’s revamped coefficient system could hand England an extra Champions League spot this season.

The Magpies are predicted to edge out Chelsea by a single point, while Manchester City—experiencing a rare dip under Pep Guardiola—are forecast to finish just two points ahead.

Interestingly, Opta’s models don’t anticipate a late-season collapse from surprise package Nottingham Forest, who are tipped to finish with 68 points. Newcastle have already beaten Forest three times this season, but the race for European qualification remains fiercely competitive.

Statistically, Newcastle have a 33.56% chance of securing Champions League football—a tantalizing prospect for a club that has spent years dreaming of a return to Europe’s elite. Their odds of Europa League qualification stand even higher at 21.79%, the best of any club in contention.

Eddie Howe has made it clear that his players should be driven by the ambition of playing Champions League football at St. James’ Park—not elsewhere. Back in January, he emphasized the importance of focus and determination:

“The players need to perform to prove they want to play in the Champions League—with us. That has to be the aim, not looking elsewhere. The resolve I’ve seen in this squad has been immense. We’ve put together a strong run and positioned ourselves well, but now comes the crucial phase. We must keep winning, maintain momentum, and push until the very end.”

His words ring truer than ever. The final stretch of the season will test Newcastle’s mental and physical resilience. With European nights at St. James’ Park within touching distance, the Magpies have a golden opportunity to cement their resurgence as a force in English football.

From ending their trophy drought to potentially securing a place among Europe’s elite, Newcastle’s 2024-25 campaign could go down as one of their greatest ever. The scenes at Wembley were unforgettable, but the real legacy of this season may yet be written in the final ten games.

As the open-top bus rolls through Newcastle this weekend, fans won’t just be celebrating a cup win—they’ll be dreaming of what’s still to come. The Champions League anthem echoing through Gallowgate? It’s no longer a fantasy. It’s a very real possibility.

And if Howe’s men can turn Opta’s predictions into reality, this could be just the beginning of a thrilling new era for Newcastle United.