Newcastle United are on course for an instant return to the Premier League, as they sit top of the Sky Bet Championship.
Rafa Benitez’s side have not found the second-tier as easy as many thought they would, as they sit just one point above Brighton and Hove Albion ahead of the weekend's fixtures.
There are just 14 games left of the Championship season, and it is beginning to look like a two-horse race for the title between Newcastle and Chris Hughton’s Brighton.
Rafa Benitez's side face a string of massive games in the coming weeks, and we at Football League World have decided to take a closer look at which games could make or break the Toon's season.
Here we look at FIVE games between now and May that could cost Newcastle the title:
Newcastle v Aston Villa – 20/02/2017
Both these sides suffered relegation form the Premier League last season, and were favourites for promotion this campaign.
However, where Newcastle have staged a promotion push, Villa are struggling in mid-table, sat 16th in the Championship.
Despite their league position, Villa possesses some quality within their squad, who will be looking to claim the scalp of Newcastle to restore some pride in a disappointing season.
Brighton v Newcastle – 28/02/2017
This fixture kicks off a massive week for Benitez’s side.
The top two have been constantly exchanging blows at the summit of the Championship table, with neither side able to break clear.
Defeat to Brighton would give Hughton’s side the edge for the title.
Huddersfield Town v Newcastle – 04/03/2017
David Wagner’s side are currently third in the league and look like the team most capable of catching Newcastle or Brighton.
Town have recorded impressive victories over Brighton and Leeds United in recent weeks, showing their capabilities in big games.
If Wagner’s side are to maintain their automatic promotion challenge, Newcastle would be a must win game, something Benitez will be wary of.
Reading v Newcastle – 07/03/2017
The match with Reading finishes a massive week for Newcastle, where they face three of the top-six.
If the Magpies can come out of this run of fixtures with seven points in the bag, it would surely make them comfortable favourites for the title.
However, the three games, all away from home, could seriously derail Benitez’s title hopes.
Ipswich Town v Newcastle – 17/04/2017
While this fixture should be three-points for Benitez’s side, there are complications to travelling to Ipswich.
First of all, Ipswich is a difficult place to go and play, Brighton and Norwich, two of the divisions better sides, dropped points at Portman Road this season.
The fixture also takes place two days after Newcastle host Leeds United at St James’ Park, which will also be a tough test for Benitez’s side.