- Fans excited by Sandro Tonali arrival
- Champions League could take its toll on squad
- Recommended bet: Alexander Isak to win the Golden Boot

Not since the 2002-03 season have Newcastle played in the Champions League group stage, but last term's fourth-place Premier League finish means the Magpies will once again mixing it with Europe's elite.

Last season

Newcastle defied odds of 8-1 to finish in the Champions League qualification spots and their return to the top four owed much to a superb defensive effort from Eddie Howe's side.

United conceded only 33 goals, which was the joint-best record in the Premier League alongside champions Manchester City, with goalkeeper Nick Pope keeping 14 clean sheets.

The previously unheralded defensive quartet of Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn came together to form a robust unit, while in front of them midfielder Bruno Guimares was outstanding.

If Guimaraes was the brains of the team, then Joelinton was definitely the brawn. The Brazilian, converted to a midfielder by Howe from a less than prolific forward, collected 12 yellow cards, with Fulham's Joao Palhinha (14) the only player to pick up more cautions.

Callum Wilson topped the Newcastle goalscoring charts with 18 Premier League goals and there were also double-figure contributions from Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak to highlight that this was a real team effort.

The manager

Howe was one of the most highly-touted English managers around as he led Bournemouth through the Football League to the Premier League in a swashbuckling style, despite a brief spell at Burnley sandwiched between those two efforts which did not go so well.

However, Howe's reputation was on the dip as Bournemouth slid out of the Premier League in 2020 and he looked set for a move to Celtic before eventually replacing Steve Bruce on Tyneside in November 2021.

Howe guided the club away from relegation trouble in his first season and then made rapid progress last term to guide the Magpies to the Champions League. 

Transfers

AC Milan and Italy international Sandro Tonali has got the Toon Army excited. He is at his best at the base of the midfield, which should allow Guimaraes more freedom to attack and Tonali's passing style should suit Howe's philosophy well.

Winger Harvey Barnes has also arrived from relegated Leicester City and his direct, high-energy approach also suggests that he will also easily slot straight in.

Strengths and weaknesses

Newcastle were tight defensively last season and incredibly difficult to beat, losing only five Premier League games, with Howe admitting to spending many hours studying Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid during his period out of the game.

However, the elusive hunt for a trophy goes on – Newcastle lost the League Cup final to Manchester United at Wembley – but they have laid solid foundations and now need to prove those efforts can be sustained with the added demands of the Champions League mixed in.

Whether Newcastle have the squad for that additional challenge remains to be seen.

They benefited last term from continuity in team selection during a hectic season where most of their rivals suffered due to a mid-season World Cup and squad depth is the biggest concern.

Best outright bet

One area which seems fine is in attack, where Wilson and Isak can play together or as a lone striker depending on Howe's formation.

Isak's debut Premier League season hinted at something special and he might be of interest in the Top Goalscorer market at 33/1 each-way with LiveScore Bet against hot favourite Erling Haaland of Manchester City.

Seven of his ten league goals came in his last 14 appearances, as the silky-skilled Swede adapted to English football and the 23-year-old has the potential to improve further.