While a relegation battle was not something Magpies fans had in mind, predictions were made on how the top-flight would finish in May, prior to the beginning of the campaign.
And here, we take a look at where Bruce’s men were tipped to finish in the table at the start date in September 2020 – compared to the 12th position they actually ended up in.
![Pep Guardiola’s men were predicted to lift the Premier League title and that is what they did, finishing 12 points ahead of runners-up Manchester United.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQxMzgxMTVjLTE2MWItNDJiNC04ZmE2LTVkYzBiMDNiNTg5NDowYWFhNGE4Yy01ODhlLTQ3OTgtOWRhMi1hMGY0Mjg2ZjBlNmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Manchester City - same position (1st)
Pep Guardiola’s men were predicted to lift the Premier League title and that is what they did, finishing 12 points ahead of runners-up Manchester United. Photo: Michael Regan
![Liverpool were predicted to finish runners-up to Man City but in reality, Jurgen Klopp’s side were more than happy to clinch third place in the end.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdlYWEyMjFhLWYzOTgtNDRiNC1hZmEyLTUzOWMyZjc2ZGU1YToyZmI3Njg2Mi1lMmQxLTRkYWYtYTQ0ZS03YjA2ZmZhODgyZDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Liverpool - down one position (3rd)
Liverpool were predicted to finish runners-up to Man City but in reality, Jurgen Klopp’s side were more than happy to clinch third place in the end. Photo: PAUL ELLIS
![Man United finished one place higher than initially predicted, but that provides zero comfort after losing the Europa League final to Villarreal.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmFhMDMwZGE1LTkwN2ItNDlkZi1iZTZlLTBiNTMwZTcxNjcyYjo5NGUxZjBhMS0yZGU0LTQwMzktYjdhNy01NjQ0OGMzN2RmMDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Manchester United - up one position (2nd)
Man United finished one place higher than initially predicted, but that provides zero comfort after losing the Europa League final to Villarreal. Photo: GARETH COPLEY
![It went down to the final day but the European champions secured a top four finish after Thomas Tuchel took over from club legend Frank Lampard.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjIxYzg0MjAyLTQyNGMtNDMzZS04M2Q4LWM0MTIxODEyZTIzZjpkZWVmYmMxZS1iMjUxLTRiMDAtOGI0NS1mNTMyMzdhYzY4YmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Chelsea - same position (4th)
It went down to the final day but the European champions secured a top four finish after Thomas Tuchel took over from club legend Frank Lampard. Photo: SUSANA VERA