Newcastle’s fine start to the season sees them sitting pretty in the Champions League places heading into the World Cup break - but will they be able to sustain this form?

Their 4-1 thrashing over Southampton made it four league wins in a row for the Magpies and moved them into 3rd place in the Premier League table. No matter what happens in their clash with Chelsea on Saturday, Eddie Howe’s side will stay in the top four until their next league match - a trip to Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Eddie Howe signals Newcastle United transfer 'shift' ahead of World Cup

Former Newcastle United and Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes that his former side do have what it takes to sustain their push for Europe but will be reliant on two of their key players if they are to finish in the top four this season.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Nick Pope of Newcastle United celebrates with team mates following their sides victory after a penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James' Park on November 09, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

placeholder image — NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Nick Pope of Newcastle United celebrates with team mates following their sides victory after a penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James' Park on November 09, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Enrique told Lord Ping: “The reason people are talking about Newcastle is not because other teams aren’t doing as well as expected, it is because of the way they are playing. It's too early to talk about where teams finish. You can assume that Manchester City are going to finish first or second. If Arsenal can keep their form, I believe they will still fight for the title.

“Newcastle play fantastic football, I love watching them at the moment. I love how they are attacking, how they press and how they are as a team.

“Of course you have few players like Bruno Guimaraes, a world class centre midfielder. They have the money to spend as well.

“After the World Cup they will play one or two games before the transfer window opens in January. If they get one or two players in the January transfer window - perhaps a left winger as Allan Saint-Maximin has his injury issues - I think they will have a great chance to get in the top four.”

Newcastle host Graham Potter’s Chelsea on Saturday aiming to extend their unbeaten run at St James’s Park which dates back to their defeat against Liverpool in April. Newcastle have lost three of their last four home games against the Blues, with Isaac Hayden’s last minute winner in January 2020 their only triumph in that time.