Newcastle are 180 minutes away from another Wembley appearance

The season is on the line for Newcastle United. At least that’s how the fans and the press are perceiving it. The Magpies are out of the Champions League race for sure, and even the Conference League spot is currently in danger, considering their form. Newcastle has a stunning number of 11 defeats after 26 games, while at the end of last season (38 games), they had only five. The main reason was off course injury record, unseen in recent time in Newcastle, and also among other Premier League clubs. The extend of those injuries was such that at one point, the Magpies had only one player healthy per position in the team, and players who were healthy had to play week in and week out, which also influenced their performances.

So, by 2024, they were out of the Champions League, where they were in the group of ‘death’ with PSG, Dortmund and Milan, and also from the Carabao Cup (they played in the finals in 2023). But FA Cup is still a possibility and for Newcastle, who are looking for a major trophy since 1969, a game with Blackburn means a lot. It could be the turning point if the Magpies win tonight, since they would be only 90 minutes away from a second straight Wembley appearance. Let us remind you that all semi-final matches are played on Wembley stadium since 2008.

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So, it is quite possible that coach Eddie Howe will put the strongest available squad against second-tier Blackburn. The coach himself didn’t shy from explaining the meaning of this competition for Newcastle.

“It's a huge game for us. We're absolutely committed to the FA Cup to do well and have been all season. We've had two difficult games away from home to get to this stage and now another one. We've been looking forward to this game so we know how important it is. We are still in the throes of deciding where this season ends up. Nothing is decided for or against us. I definitely want to squash that feeling that we are feeling sorry for ourselves because that has negative connotations. We need the players to be excited and ambitious, thinking brightly about the future. I always have a positive outlook. I’ve been in football long enough to know that it changes very quickly both for and against. This season can still be very special for us, but we have to make it happen” said Howe.

FA CUP - ROUND 5

Tuesday

22.30: (1.65) Bournemouth (3.80) Leicester (5.40)

22.45: (6.25) Blackburn (4.50) Newcastle (1.50)

23.00: (9.50) Luton (6.25) Man.City (1.27)

Wednesday

22.30: (1.58) Chelsea (4.00) Leeds (5.90)

22.45: (2.65) Wolverhampton (3.25) Brighton (2.75)

22.45: (3.25) Nott.Forest (3.45) Man.Utd. (2.20)

23.00: (1.60) Liverpool (4.10) Southampton (5.50)

***odds are subject to change