Kieran Gibbs backs Newcastle United to bag Champions League spot - claims Magpies have 'huge advantage' over Chelsea

Newcastle United must fight off challenges from Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa to land a Champions League spot this season and despite a tricky run-in for Eddie Howe's men, they have been deemed to have a 'huge advantage'.

With a game in hand over all of the aforementioned clubs, Newcastle certainly have that going for them. That game will be played a week today (Wednesday) against Crystal Palace, and should Newcastle win on Sunday against Manchester United and again on Wednesday; they will open up at least a three-point gap in the race for fourth, depending on other results.

The game in hand gives Newcastle a cushion for error. Alongside that, there's also the fact that the Magpies have to play Chelsea and Aston Villa before the end of the season which could prove to be massive games in the Champions League race.

However, former Arsenal man Kieran Gibbs has seen something else that he believes will be a huge boost for Eddie Howe.

The majority of Newcastle's remaining games will be at home

Looking at the fixtures, the former West Brom full-back told ESPN he sees Chelsea being the side left out of the Champions League places with Newcastle having a 'huge advantage'.

“Five of Newcastle’s last eight games are at home which I don’t think for Chelsea would have mattered as much. But certainly for Newcastle that is a huge advantage and we know how much of an influence it is at St James’ Park.

“I can imagine how rocking their last few home games are going to be. For me, with the form they are on, they have ten or eleven wins in their last 14 matches, Eddie Howe has just got a firm grip on their form at the moment, I don’t think he is going to let that go.

“I am going to go Chelsea to fall out and [Manchester] City to be in [top five].”

St James' Park hasn't quite been the fortress it should be this season

St James' Park status as a fortress has been tested this season, and Newcastle have suffered some bad defeats on their home turf, so it might not be as big of an advantage as Gibbs thinks.

That being said, we're sure we'd be more likely to back us at home than on the road, so in terms of confidence, it could be a big thing.

After the past month, however, we're feeling like we can take on anyone, anywhere.