Anything other than getting into the UCL is likely to hit the club hard, with their top players surely assessing their options if the Magpies only make it into the Europa or Conference Leagues, or perhaps don't even get into Europe at all.
Newcastle are nine points off UCL qualification
At present, Newcastle find themselves in ninth position, some seven points behind Liverpool, who currently occupy the Europa League spot, and nine points behind Aston Villa in the fourth and final Champions League place (although, fifth could end up being enough for UCL qualification).
Whilst it's a tall order, it's certainly not impossible for Eddie Howe's men, and with no other cup competitions to take away their focus, all of Newcastle's efforts can be concentrated on league play.
With respect to their opponents, most of the Magpies' remaining fixtures are winnable games.
Local rivals Sunderland are first up, and St. James' Park is sure to be rocking on Sunday lunchtime.
Though Regis Le Bris' squad have dropped off the pace a little, they remain only two points behind their hosts, and a win could see them jump up four places if results elsewhere also go their way.
Guimaraes out, Tonali a doubt
The potential loss of Sandro Tonali, who was forced off against Barcelona, will seriously damage the Magpies' creativity if he does miss the match, given that captain Bruno Guimaraes is still not fit to return.
The hosts will also be aware that they haven't got the better of the Wearsiders in their last five home league games (D2 L3), with this being the first meeting at St James’ Park since the 1-1 draw in March 2016.
Newcastle have only scored once in their last six league games against Sunderland, too, and the last clean sheet in the league against them came way back in August 2011.
The Black Cats haven't lost to the Magpies in 10 league games (W7 D3), and have won seven of the last eight fixtures - the joint-longest run either side has had without defeat in the history of the fixture (Newcastle also had 10 between 1985 and 1997).
During that time, Newcastle have only scored four goals against their opponents, whilst conceding 17.
Sunderland hoping for league double
Howe can at least take heart in the fact that his side has already won league games in March against Man United and Chelsea, and though Sunderland beat Leeds in their last Premier League away fixture, they haven't won two consecutive league games away from the Stadium of Light since May 2014.
The Newcastle boss certainly won't want to be the first-ever to lose both of his first two league games against the Black Cats, after the Magpies' 1-0 defeat earlier this season.
A loss that came about as a result of an own goal from new signing Nick Woltemade, a player who has struggled badly in the second half of the season, and who hasn't scored in the league since December.
Le Bris would become just the second Sunderland manager to win both of his first two league Tyne-Wear derbies if Sunderland walk away with the three points, Gus Poyet (in 2013/14) being the only manager to date to achieve such a feat.
Injury list could haunt Black Cats
Should the visitors score first, it could spell problems for Newcastle, as the Black Cats are one of only three Premier League sides not to lose when scoring first this season (W6 D4) - Man United (W12 D6) and Nottingham Forest (W5 D2) are the others.
It's also worth pointing out that only Aston Villa (19) have won more points from losing positions than Sunderland (16) in the English top-flight in 2025/26, and West Ham (20) are the only side to have dropped more points from winning positions than Newcastle (19).
In terms of current form, the Magpies have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five games, with Sunderland having won one, drawn one and lost three - including an FA Cup upset at Port Vale.
An injury list that could see as many as 10 players out for the visitors might be the one issue that tips the balance in Newcastle's favour.
All of Robin Roefs, Bertrand Traore, Reinildo Mandava, Romaine Mundle, Nordi Mukiele and Jocelin Ta Bi are out, with Nilson Angulo, Enzo Le Fee, Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidor all facing fitness tests.
