Premier League 2018/19: 5 underdogs that could upset the status quo this season

Newcastle

Just leave it to the magician

When you have Rafa Benitez in your ranks, you are never too far from the top. However, the master tactician, who has a net spend of only 1 million pounds in the last two seasons combined, has made the Toons a formidable outfit, as was evident by their 10th placed finish last season (that is something only he could do).

The most astonishing aspect was that the club actually made upwards of 11 million pounds this transfer window with Yoshinori Muto (Mainz), Fabian Schar (Deportivo La Coruna) and Martin Dubravka (Sparta Praha) coming in.

Their current shambolic state would come as a no surprise to many but then everyone knows it takes time for a team on a very tight budget to get going. The upcoming international break should provide Benitez a welcome break from their current misfortune and build on some much-needed team chemistry.

Joselu, Yendlin, Shelvey, Lascelles, and Murphy have looked good at times but are yet to become a well-oiled machine that they managed to achieve towards the latter part of the season. The Toonians know that their club has a habit of picking up the pace as the season progress and they will be hoping that the men in black and white stripes could pull the trigger once again.

The bigger concern for Newcastle is their (or rather a lack of) transfer activity. They have already sold their biggest goal threat in Mitrovic and now have to find new ways in the attack as they will be without their efficient target man. With Mike Ashley in talks of selling the club, most fans will be praying that it happens sooner than later as no one wants to let go of their biggest asset: Rafael Benitez.

Current Standing

18th (W0, D1, L3)