Jamie Carragher offers Newcastle United verdict - Two bold claims ahead of vital period

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on where Newcastle might finish this season, and just how likely they are to qualify for the Champions League.

After some stellar results in recent weeks, including Sunday’s 4-1 win over Manchester United, we’re looking like a firm favourite to finish in the top five.

And Carragher has now weighed in what he thinks sets us apart from the chasing pack, and just how high we could potentially finish.

Champions League prediction and bold Arsenal claim

Jamie Carragher firmly believes that we’ll finish well within the Champions League positions this season, feeling a top five finish will be "almost a guarantee" if we can see off Crystal Palace in our game in hand tomorrow.

Win that and we'll leapfrog Nottingham Forest, moving into third, five clear of Chelsea and Aston Villa; our opponents on Saturday.

When asked about our European prospects, Carragher answered: “I think it’s looking like that yeah. They’re on a great run of form, playing as well as anybody in the country right now.”

“I think it’s almost a guarantee that they get top five. They’ve got a game in hand against Crystal Palace at home midweek. If they win that, it puts them in a great position.”

Not only that, he even claimed we'll have one eye on Arsenal in second - currently seven ahead of us -  if we can win again tomorrow night, adding: “They’ll have a little eye on Arsenal in 2nd position. If Arsenal certainly continue to the semi-finals of the Champions League, they’ll think ‘They’re well within our sights’ let’s put it that way anyway.”

“Yeah they’re having a brilliant end to the season, they’ll want to keep that going.”

"They're on a great run of form, playing as well as anybody in the country right now" 🔥

Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle are almost guaranteed at a top five finish 📊 pic.twitter.com/1dLUDGi381

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 14, 2025

On how recent results have impacted form and mood

Continuing his praise of the Magpies, Carragher highlighted the one-sided nature of Sunday’s win at St James’ Park as a true testament to what the players, with the fans backing, can achieve this season and moving forward.

“Their intensity and power in central midfield is fantastic, and going into that game yesterday, I just didn’t see a way that Manchester United could win that game.”

“There’s a great connection between the players and the supporters now, especially off the back of winning the cup final.”

Hopefully we can keep the great run going tomorrow, although we'll do well to make it six wins on the spin against a Palace side third in the form table over the past 10 games.