White and Jordan agree £1000 bet over Newcastle finishing in top six next season

So much so that Jim White has bet Simon Jordan £1000 that Eddie Howe's side will finish in the Premier League top six next season.

The Magpies ended the 2021-22 season in 11th place on 49 points, following a mid-season takeover and splashing the cash in January.

To achieve top six, based on the season's final standings, Howe's men would have to improve and collect another 10 points, which would have pipped Manchester United by a point.

Newcastle have no distraction of European competition next season, and can focus solely on improving their league position.

Already, however, champions Manchester City, runners up Liverpool, and fourth-placed Tottenham, have already started to strengthen their squads.

No doubt, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will all follow suit prior to the new season, which kicks-off on 6 August, and will make Newcastle's task much more difficult.

"I think they will make top six," talkSPORT host White told Jordan and Danny Mills.

"I'll have £1000 with you, let's have a bet on it! Let's go!", Jordan replied.

White then said: "OK, let's do it! £1000 says Newcastle will make top six."

Howe secured five new signings in the January transfer window, having spent over £90m.

Have those signings worked? Yes, Newcastle last Christmas had just 10 points, and only one win under their belt from 18 games played.

In the second half of the season, the Magpies managed 39 points. Had they have done this in the first half of the campaign, they would have sat on 78 points at the end.

It would have meant they would have finished in third place, four points ahead of Chelsea, and would, therefore, have been playing Champions League football.