Newcastle United are looking to catch the likes of Chelsea(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)

Newcastle United will look to home advantage to kick-start their push for European football next season, but have at least shaken off the burden of their poor away form.

While the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday ended a run of three wins of the road, Eddie Howe's side will have taken huge encouragement as they ran the title hopefuls close at the Etihad.

The race for European places is shaping up to be an epic battle, with Newcastle not yet ruling out a push for a top-five spot and a return to the Champions League.

It will be a tough task, but any consistent run of form is rewarded by a jump in league placings, and with 11 games left to play, there are plenty of points up for grabs.

Of course it's not just about what United do, but how their rivals fare, witn the next six games setting up what could be a fascinating final few weeks of the campaign.

Four of United's next six in the league are at home, a factor...