Newcastle United

The Magpies ultimately finished up in 11th position, collecting 49 points from their 38 matches, which left them just three points behind eighth-place Leicester City.

Newcastle's January transfer business certainly helped, with the club becoming one of the wealthiest clubs on the planet due to their takeover, but it was still a brilliant managerial performance from Howe.

The club's transfer business this summer has been modest, but many are expecting the Magpies to push for a possible top-eight finish, especially considering that they were only seven points off seventh-place West Ham United at the end of last season.

Newcastle have not finished higher than 10th in the Premier League since claiming fifth in 2011-12, and it will be fascinating to see what happens at St James' Park in the coming season.

Here, Sports Mole looks ahead to the upcoming campaign.

FIXTURES

Newcastle will open their 2022-23 Premier League season at home to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on August 6, which should be a fascinating affair considering the signings the Reds have made this summer.

The team's first away game of the campaign will be against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 13, while they will also take on Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool in the first month of the season.

Newcastle will take on Chelsea in their final match before the campaign breaks for the 2022 World Cup, before returning to action against Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Howe's side have a tough end to the season on paper, taking on Arsenal, Leeds United, Leicester City and Chelsea in their last four fixtures, with all four possibly having something to play for at that stage.

The trip to Stamford Bridge on May 28 could have a lot riding on it, as Newcastle will hope to be in some form of European contention, while Chelsea might need the points in a possible top-four battle.

SUMMER SIGNINGS

In

Matt Targett (£15m, Aston Villa)

Nick Pope (undisclosed, Burnley)

Sven Botman (£33.3m, Lille)

Out

Oisin McEntee (free, Walsall)

Mo Sangare (free, Accrington Stanley)

Isaac Hayden (loan, Norwich City)

Lewis Cass (free, Port Vale)

Jake Turner (free, Gillingham)

Freddie Woodman (undisclosed, Preston North End)

Jeff Hendrick (loan, Reading)

Ciaran Clark (loan, Sheffield United)

Dwight Gayle (undisclosed, Stoke City)

Newcastle United total spent to date: £48.3m

Newcastle United total received to date: £0m

Newcastle United net transfer balance: -£48.3m

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow, Mark Gillespie, Nick Pope

Defenders: Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis, Javi Manquillo, Matt Ritchie, Fabian Schar, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Kell Watts

Midfielders: Miguel Almiron, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton, Ryan Fraser, Bruno Guimaraes, Matty Longstaff, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock

Forwards: Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Chris Wood

STRONGEST XI

STAR PLAYER - Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle made a statement signing in the latter stages of the January transfer window when they managed to bring in Guimaraes from Lyon.

A number of leading European clubs had been linked with the defensive midfielder, but he penned a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Magpies and made 17 appearances in the second half of last season.

Guimaraes, who contributed five goals and one assist from midfield last term, is very much part of the Brazil setup and is in a strong position to make the squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The 24-year-old is capable of being a leading player for Howe's side next term, and Newcastle will do well to keep hold of him if he builds on his form from the second half of last season.

MANAGER - Eddie Howe

Howe started his managerial career at Bournemouth in 2008, spending three years in charge of the club before joining Burnley, taking charge of the Clarets between January 2011 and October 2012.

The 44-year-old returned to Bournemouth in the latter stages of 2012 and went on to take charge of 356 matches in his second spell, boasting a win record of 40.17%.

Howe led Bournemouth from League One to the Premier League, but he left by mutual consent in August 2020 following their relegation to the Championship.

The young coach was strongly linked with the Celtic job in the middle of 2021, but he was ultimately appointed Newcastle manager last November, and he won 13, drew five and lost 10 of his 28 games in charge of the club, leading them to Premier League survival.

LAST SEASON - 11th

Such was Howe's success at the helm, it is easy to forget how poor Newcastle were in the early stages of the campaign, failing to win a Premier League match until the start of December.

The Magpies only picked up seven points from their opening 14 matches, which left them facing the threat of relegation to the second tier of English football.

Newcastle's first league win of the campaign came at home to Burnley on December 4, but they did have to wait until January 22 to make it two victories, winning 1-0 at Leeds United.

Howe's side went on to claim victories in five of their next six games, going unbeaten in the process, while they won six of their last eight Premier League matches of the season to ultimately finish in 11th, boasting a record of 13 wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats to collect 49 points.

Newcastle were incredibly disappointing in the cup competitions last term, exiting the FA Cup in the third round and EFL Cup in the second round, but it mattered little in terms of the overall picture.

The team's form in the second half of last season was extraordinary and has fuelled suggestions that they are capable of claiming a top-seven spot in the new campaign.

PREDICTION

At the time of writing, Newcastle have only made three signings this summer, bringing in Botman, Targett and Pope, but there are expected to be more incomings before the end of the window.

It is difficult to ignore the team's form in the second half of last season, and they should be serious contenders for a top-seven finish next term with the structure that Howe has put in place.

The signing of the talented Botman should further strengthen their defence, and the Magpies will be a difficult team to beat next season considering the strength of their spine.

Much could depend on whether Callum Wilson stays fit, but there is a lot of quality throughout the squad, which should see them battle the likes of Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers for the positions immediately behind the top seven.

Newcastle could fall just short of a European position, but eighth would represent another important step forward, as the club have a plan to be a regular Champions League outfit in the years to come.

VERDICT: Eighth