Boisterous chants of "we are top of the league" cascaded down the packed stands of St James' Park at the end of Newcastle United's thumping 5-1 win against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Whether the Magpies will finish the campaign in that lofty position after 37 more games remains to be seen. Yet, the next few fixtures will already provide a sharp picture of Newcastle's title credentials as the Magpies face Manchester City and Liverpool before the end of August.
Here's what else lies ahead for a Newcastle side riding high.
Manchester City vs Newcastle - Premier League
Eddie Howe admitted "everything clicked for us" after Newcastle's largest-ever opening-day Premier League victory against Villa. All the pieces will have to fall into place once again if Newcastle are to come away from the Etihad next weekend with a result.
Across seven trips to Manchester City's home ground, Howe has lost every visit and seen his side concede 25 goals, scoring just three themselves.
- 19/08/2023 - Manchester City vs Newcastle (20:00)
Newcastle vs Liverpool - Premier League
Since Howe's appointment at St James' Park in November 2021, Liverpool are the only Premier League team to have a 100% record against Newcastle.
Spiky encounters on the pitch reflect the tension that exists between the central figures in each dugout. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has publicly highlighted Newcastle's increased spending power under their controversial Saudi Arabian owners and lamented the acute sportsmanship from Howe's side. The Newcastle manager has not been impressed with either thinly veiled barb.
- 27/08/2023 - Newcastle vs Liverpool (16:30)
Brighton vs Newcastle - Premier League
Two of Newcastle's opening four matches of the new season are against opponents they faced during the Premier League Summer Series. While Villa were swatted aside on the opening weekend - after a 3-3 draw in the US - Newcastle face a Brighton team they defeated 2-1 at the end of July.
A brace from Elliot Anderson in the final four minutes swung the contest in New Jersey but that match may not serve as the best yardstick for September's meeting; only two Newcastle starters from that friendly began the opening day defeat of Villa.
- 02/09/2023 - Brighton vs Newcastle (17:30)
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Newcastle vs Brentford - Premier League
Howe's first match in charge of Newcastle was a bonkers 3-3 draw at home to Brentford two years ago. The Bees twice took the lead but failed to secure what would have been an incredibly rare victory in this fixture.
Newcastle have not lost a league match against Brentford since 1948, when the legendary Jackie Milburn - the club's leading scorer prior to Alan Shearer - failed to find the net in a 1-0 reverse.
- 17/09/2023 - Newcastle vs Brentford (16:30)
Newcastle vs TBC - Champions League
Newcastle begin their first Champions League campaign in two decades on the third midweek of September.
Uncertainty surrounds the long-awaited return as qualification for the group stage won't be wrapped up until the end of August. Given the club's wait for continental competition, Newcastle will either be in Pot 3 or 4 when the first round draw is made, ensuring that the Magpies could face any of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid or Napoli next month.
- 19-20/09/2023 - Newcastle vs TBC
Sheffield United vs Newcastle - Premier League
Sheffield United recorded the worst start to a season in Premier League history during their most recent top-flight campaign. After just two points from their first 17 league games, the Blades mercifully recorded a 1-0 home win - Newcastle were the accommodating opponents.
Steve Bruce was at Newcastle's helm for that humbling loss and spent much of the post-match lamenting the "baffling" VAR decisions. The knives were out for Bruce at the time but he somehow managed to hang on to his position for another ten months until Howe took charge.
- 24/09/2023 - Sheffield United vs Newcastle (16:30)
This article was originally published on 90min as Newcastle's next six fixtures after thumping win over Aston Villa.
