What lies ahead for Newcastle United ahead of the World Cup break?

With the international break still in full swing, the Magpies are currently sitting in mid-table after a somewhat disappointing start to the season.

Eddie Howe’s side have lost just one game but have gone without a league win since the opening day of the season when newly promoted Nottingham Forest were sent to St James Park.

Failing to convert draws into victories left United in tenth place after picking up a single point in games against Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, the Magpies are still just three points behind the European places, meaning the games before the break for the inaugural Winter World Cup could dictate the remainder of the season.

After the draw against Bournemouth, United manager Howe assessed what was in store for his side and said: We’ll give them a little time off at the start of next week to allow them to mentally regroup as it’s a very busy time coming when we come back

“It will be crucial ahead of the World Cup how well we do ahead of that next set of games.”

But what lies ahead for Howe and his team before attention turns to events in Qatar?

Newcastle world looks ahead…

The Magpies return to the Premier League on Saturday after taking on a side from Fulham who have confidently returned to the top flight.

Inspired by the goalscoring efforts of former United striker Aleksander Mitrovic, the Cottagers will go into the game sixth in the table.

The Bees are traveling to Tyneside, which will bring back memories of Eddie Howe’s first game in charge of the Magpies – although a positive Covid-19 test prompted the former Bournemouth boss to watch from a Tyneside hotel room.

Howe will be taking a closer look at the action this time and will be hoping his side can repeat the Joelinton-inspired success they had against Brentford last season.

This is a game that is starting to look more challenging as Erik ten Hag begins to make his mark on the Red Devils squad.

After a miserable start to the season, the former Ajax manager is turning the tide at Old Trafford as home wins over Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the international break show.

It was the game that really kickstarted United’s efforts to survive in the Premier League last season, as Kieran Trippier’s free-kick defeated the Toffees and laid the foundation for a positive ending to the campaign.

It’s been a challenging start to the current season for Frank Lampard and his side – and United are hoping to make it even more difficult in this midweek game under the lights of St James Park.

Those games marked a low point during Eddie Howe’s tenure as Spurs recorded a 5-1 win over United in front of Sky cameras in April.

Antonio Conte has done a good job with his side and they will be a big challenge for the Magpies.

Four wins from their first seven games has seen Villa sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table and questions have been put to manager Steven Gerrard.

Another game in which United clinched three points as Kieran Trippier sealed the points for his season – a repeat of the performance would be appreciated by Gallowgate faithful.

One of United’s longest trips this season and one pushed back to 2pm for live televised coverage.

Full debut Bruno Guimaraes scored a miracle shot to put the Magpies on their way to a hard-earned three points in the matching encounter last season.

Newcastle are hoping to take the next step on their way to Wembley when Patrick Vieira’s side visit St James Park.

The tie will come just two months after a highly controversial VAR decision that stole United three points in a Premier League game between the two sides.

A hectic schedule leading up to the World Cup is rounded off when Chelsea visit St James Park in another live televised match.

We should know a lot more about the Magpies’ prospects for the remainder of the campaign once the full-time whistle blows at St James Park.