The Magpies host rivals Chelsea on Sunday before welcoming Everton to St James’ Park on the final day, with a trip to Arsenal wedged in between.
Newcastle are currently fourth and will reach 69 points if they win both of their home games. Villa, who are seventh, would have to win all three of their remaining games to reach 69 points, but their goal difference is 15 worse than Newcastle as things stand.
Newcastle are currently level on points with Chelsea and just two ahead of Forest – who play each other on the final day at the City Ground, which is why the Magpies are in a position of strength.
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If Newcastle beat Chelsea on Sunday then Enzo Maresca’s side can still reach 69 points, but would have to beat Forest on the final day, which would mean Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could only reach 67 points.
If Forest win their remaining three games they would reach 70 points, but providing Newcastle beat Chelsea, the Blues could then only get to 66 points, meaning Eddie Howe’s side would finish fifth with two home wins, unless there was the most unlikely goal difference swing with Villa.
Forest battled back from a goal down to snatch a point at Crystal Palace on Monday night, and are now preparing for a home game against Leicester this weekend. They then travel to West Ham before their final day game against Chelsea, which looks set to be a decider.
Nuno said: “We need a lot of character, a lot of belief. We are pushing the players physically and mentally because we are in a battle no one expected us to be in.
“The schedule is very hard. It is a big fight we are involved in and we need characters.”
Manchester City are only a point ahead of Newcastle but have won their last four Premier League games and face Southampton away, Bournemouth home and Fulham away in the final weeks of the season.
Arsenal, who are on 67 points, have had a stutter in the league of late and travel to Liverpool this weekend before their home game with Newcastle. But they’re then at home to bottom club Southampton on the final day.
Aston Villa’s remaining games are away to Bournemouth, home to Tottenham and away to Manchester United.
