The next 11 rounds of Premier League fixtures are without a doubt going to decide the season for all 20 topflight sides.
As opposed to the first 11 games which were completed across the course of 87 days, the next 11 will be played in just 47 days – starting this weekend and ending January 3, 2018.
While a Manchester City have some easy run of games enough to potentially make them champions-elect by then, and a Crystal Palace or Bournemouth could have secured enough points from the next 33 to move them close to safety, things could get harder for the likes of Newcastle and West Ham.
Following their weekend trip to Manchester United, the Magpies also have visits to Chelsea, Arsenal, Stoke City and West Brom, while they host impressive Watford, Leicester City and the almighty table-topping Manchester City.
Rafa Benitez’s charges have surpassed expectations this term, but their biggest tests lie ahead in form of these jam-packed fixtures.
The Hammers also have trying times in front of them, and the immediate future of new manager David Moyes could be decided before the New Year.
Watford and Leicester City serve as the perfect pre-baptism of fire ahead of consecutive clashes against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea for the Scot.
A trip to Tottenham on the last day of the year isn’t particularly the best game to finish off a poor 2017 with, but considering they left with a win the last time they visited, West Ham might not have to worry much.
