'Strong contention': Paul Merson believes Newcastle United are in a good position for CL qualification as he predicts score against Leicester

We have to wait until Monday night at 8pm to see Newcastle United in action again as they travel to Leicester City for the Sky Sports televised game.

After shrugging off any suggestions that there'd be a Carabao Cup hangover by beating Brentford on Wednesday night, Newcastle now face a Leicester side who are destined for Championship football next season.

Since beating Tottenham in January, the Foxes have gone on a run of seven straight Premier League defeats without scoring even once.

That stat should be enough to suggest that it will be an easy night for Newcastle on Monday, but that's just not how football works, is it?

Paul Merson is full of praise for Newcastle's midfield

Paul Merson believes that's how it will work, though as he backs Newcastle for another win in his prediction for Sportskeeda. He even seems to expect the Magpies to bag a spot in the Champions League.

"I can't see anything but a Newcastle win here. They secure a brilliant victory over Brentford in midweek. That result has put them in strong contention for a top four finish. Another win here and they will boost their chances even further.

"It's a dream season already for Newcastle. For them to win that trophy after so long was massively important. Now the icing on the cake would be finishing in the top four and returning to the Champions League. If Newcastle keep playing like this, they will have a strong chance of doing it.

"I'm a big fan of Newcastle's midfield trio. Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes - they have everything from guile, strength and pace. They work together so well as a unit and that has made all the difference for Newcastle this season.

"Prediction: Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United"

Newcastle must guard against complacency on Monday

While we aren't shocked that Merse has backed us to win comfortably on Monday, we are amazed that he got through an entire prediction without mentioning Alexander Isak and Arsenal.

He must be having a week off to let the rage from last week settle before he goes about winding us up again.

The pundits are certainly predicting an easy night for us, but that's exactly what could give Leicester the edge. We can't go in feeling complacent, but if we do go to the King Power and play our usual game, we could come away with a hatful.