Newcastle United's next Premier League opponents have broken an unwanted record ahead of their trip to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm). The Magpies are due to take on rock-bottom Sheffield United as they attempt to bolster their European qualification ambitions after a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
A double from Jean-Philippe Mateta settled the scores against Newcastle at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night. That marked a first reverse in four Premier League games for Eddie Howe and his side.
However, with teams around them also stuttering during the run-in, a place in the Europa League remains on the horizon for Newcastle this season. Their next opponents - Sheffield United - are also shipping goals at an alarming rate as they edge closer to an immediate return to the Championship after EFL promotion last season.
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The Blades, who are 10 points adrift with four matches remaining, were beaten 4-2 by Manchester United - at Old Trafford on Wednesday night - despite leading twice against Newcastle's top-six rivals. Erik ten Hag's side grabbed the win through Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes (2) and Rasmus Hojlund.
Jayden Bogle and January signing Ben Brereton Diaz were on target for Sheffield United.
As well as being the lowest scorers in the division, Chris Wilder's relegation certainties have now conceded more goals than any other Premier League side (92) over the course of a 38-match season. That unwanted record might yet be extended even further with four fixtures still to play, while Newcastle contributed to their figure more than any other team having beaten the Blades 8-0 at Bramall Lane back in September.
The all-time Premier League record is held by Swindon Town, who let in 100 goals across 42 matches in 1993/1994. Despite playing fewer games, though, Sheffield United could potentially move beyond that mark during the run-in.
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