Benitez demands final push – Betfred Blog

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez believes another victory could secure their top-flight status and has demanded one last push from his squad ahead of Monday’s trip to Arsenal (Match Betting – Arsenal 2/5, draw 4/1, Newcastle 8/1).

The Magpies have kicked on in 2019 to climb away from danger and they started the weekend seven points clear of the bottom three.

Just one defeat in their last six outings – and five successive victories on home soil – have helped to raise spirits within the camp.

Benitez, who is yet to extend his contract beyond the current season, looks likely to ensure the north-east outfit will be playing Premier League football for a third successive campaign.

The Spaniard takes his side to north London to face the Gunners (5/1 – Europa League Outright) on Monday and he is expecting a tough evening at the Emirates.

But the former Real Madrid boss has urged his men to fight for all three points after claiming one more win could be enough to get them over the line.

Benitez said: “If you see what Arsenal are doing, they are doing really well, so we cannot expect that it will be an easy game.

“If we can do what we have to do, and can get three points, then it depends on the others. But some of the other teams have got some points, so it’s not that you can say, ‘Now 37 is guaranteed’, it depends what they do.

“We have now 35 and we are fine but still we have to win. For me, one game could be enough, but you never know, it depends on the other teams.

“I had a conversation before with my staff and we were taking about that. We’ll just carry on. The next game is the most important for us, it’s like a final for us and don’t think about what the others will do.”

Odds subject to change.