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Newcastle United will look to take another step closer to an instant return to the Premier League when they play host to fellow promotion contenders Leeds United at St James’ Park on Good Friday.

The Magpies suffered a slight setback when they were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough last Saturday, but a defeat for third-placed Huddersfield Town on the same day saw the gap between the two stay at 10 points.

Toon manager Rafa Benitez will be keen for his side to get back to winning ways in what is a hugely important Championship clash on Tyneside.

Meanwhile, Garry Monk’s side are in fifth position and bounced back from successive losses on the road to beat Preston North End 3-0 at Elland Road last time out, but their spot in the play-offs is far from secure as they lie just five points above seventh-placed Fulham.

Here are three reasons Newcastle will beat Leeds on Friday…

They will get goals

While the Magpies’ home form is only the sixth best in the Championship this season, there is no doubt that they are a force when it comes to scoring goals at St James’ Park.

Only Norwich City – who were helped by their 7-1 thrashing of Reading last weekend – and table-toppers Brighton and Hove Albion have scored more at their respective stadiums, and Rafa Benitez’s side will be confident that they will find the net when Leeds make the trip north.

Even though top goalscorer Dwight Gayle is likely to be out with a hamstring problem, the likes of Daryl Murphy, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matt Ritchie have the ability to step up to the plate.

Promotion motivation

Newcastle are on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League and Rafa Benitez will be telling his side to go out and get it wrapped up as soon as possible.

If they don’t the nerves could start to creep in over the final couple matches of the season, and that wouldn’t be a positive for the players or the supporters alike.

Taking all three points against Leeds would virtually see them go up, especially with Huddersfield facing difficult Easter fixtures against play-off hopefuls Preston North End and Derby County.

Leeds United’s away form

While Garry Monk’s side have made Elland Road a real fortress this season, their away form has been patchy at best and they are not good travellers.

The Yorkshire outfit only have the eighth best record on the road in the Championship and they have lost nine of their 20 fixtures on the road – including successive losses to Reading and Brentford before their win against Preston North End at home last weekend.

Rafa Benitez will know that the Whites are vulnerable and he will hope that his team can exploit those weaknesses.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.

The soul searching has begun again in earnest at Rangers after another dreadful display against arch-rivals Celtic this season. In five matches they’ve failed to win any and have lost four, being dumped out of two cup competitions at the semi-final stage in the process.

Perhaps most disappointing on Sunday was the lack of fight in Pedro Caixinha’s side. Fans expect what’s absent in quality to be made up by passion and determination at least. None of it was on show.

Celtic breezed past last season’s Scottish Championship winners, in the first half barely letting the Light Blues have possession of the ball.

A massive summer rebuild is required and it’s quite the task on a limited budget. Last season saw arrivals like Joey Barton, Joe Garner and Philippe Senderos all fail to make the grade.

This upcoming transfer window needs to be much more successful or it will be another season of pain.

Here are FOUR stars we reckon would cheer Gers fans up if the club could swing deals for them…

Graham Dorrans

Graham Dorrans is a boyhood Rangers fan who, after successful spells in England, could return North of the border to be a leader on the park in the Scottish Premiership. The Norwich midfielder is still just 29 and has plenty to offer at a high standard.

Having failed to become as important for Norwich as he was for West Brom, he’s said by The Scottish Sun to be available this summer.

It would be quite the coup for Rangers to land him. But far from it being a pointless headline grabbing exercise in the vein of Joey Barton, Dorrans could well be the answer to supporters’ midfield prayers.

His eye-catching performances for Livingston many years ago of course attracted West Brom to him in the first place and he knows how to get the job done in Scotland. In an area of the pitch the Gers were particularly lacking in on Sunday, could he be a difference maker next season?

Kyle Lafferty

Coincidentally another Norwich man who Rangers should swoop for this summer is Kyle Lafferty.

Having left the club in 2012 in the wake of the financial meltdown, he went on to enjoy a decent spell at Palermo in Italy before signing on at the Canaries. His time in Norwich has been less than successful but he’s certainly a player with a proven track record at Ibrox, having won multiple trophies with the club.

The 29 year old is of course an international star too and regularly turns out for Northern Ireland, banging in 20 goals in 58 caps.

That’s not a record to trifle with and given Kenny Miller is ageing and the likes of Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner are rapidly running out of steam at Ibrox, a move for the attacker could make perfect sense.

Callum Paterson

Callum Paterson is currently in the midst of rehabilitation from a long-term injury but is still reckoned to be one of the brightest prospects in the Scottish top-flight. His physical attributes and desire to impact games has made him a stand-out at right-back, even winning international caps with Scotland while at Hearts.

His contract at Tynecastle is up at the end of the season and he’s planning an exit. Where that’ll be remains to be seen but he would fit in perfectly at Ibrox and provide serious competition for James Tavernier, whose defensive positioning has been incredibly suspect this season.

Signing him up would show ambition and be a real coup for the club, with Paterson likely to attract attention from lots of clubs when he returns to full fitness.

Is he the man to add defensive stability to Rangers’ right flank?

Louis Moult

A more prolific goalscorer than anyone at Ibrox this season, Louis Moult could be the answer to Rangers’ lack of firepower this season. The Motherwell man has scored 16 goals this season in a struggling ‘Well side and appears to have what it takes to step up and deliver for a higher quality team.

At just 24 years of age he has plenty of room to improve and we’ve seen from the likes of Scott McDonald in the past that poachers at the Steelmen can make the transition to life at the big Glasgow clubs.

Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner have been found lacking this season despite having a reputation of goalscoring and it’s clear that Pedro Caixinha needs a different option. Shopping in Scotland could prove to be cheaper than heading abroad and a move for Moult could be the missing piece of the attacking puzzle at Ibrox.

Earlier today we discussed the possibility of Steven Naismith returning to Ibrox after a report in The Express said he was open to a move to Rangers.

The 30 year old attacker has had the best of seasons at the Canaries, failing to really hold down a regular spot in the side and scoring just five goals across the English Championship campaign.

Naismith won six trophies at Ibrox in his spell at the club before leaving acrimoniously in 2012 to seek a career in the English Premier League.

The Scotland international now faces being without a club with Norwich reported to be willing to come to a mutual agreement with him in order to free up wage resources.

Despite not exactly leaving in the good graces of Rangers fans five years ago, many of the Ibrox loyal are willing to put them behind them and welcome him back.

He is still a quality player of course and the club needs all the help it can get right now.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the move…

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West Ham United fans were on a high following their 1-0 win against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur last week, which ultimately ended Spurs’ title hopes, and they would have been expecting a similar performance when they welcomed Liverpool to the London Stadium on Sunday.

While they were organised and hurried and harried Mauricio Pochettino’s men, the Irons players failed to do the same against the Reds and they paid the price by finding themselves on the end of a convincing 4-0 scoreline.

It was the latest in a long line of poor showings from the team at their new home this term, and it is a result that could once again increase the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic, whose position has come under scrutiny in recent months.

West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the result via social media, and they were furious with the abject performance against Jurgen Klopp’s side and the campaign as a whole.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Former Chelsea striker and pundit Chris Sutton has told Goal that Michy Batshuayi is good enough to replace Diego Costa this summer if the Spaniard quits the Premier League champions, but he is not sure whether he will be given the opportunity to do so by manager Antonio Conte.

Despite scoring 20 top flight goals to help the Blues regain the title they lost to Leicester City last season, the 28-year-old has consistently been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League and it could finally happen this summer.

Batshuayi would have had high hopes that he would be a key first team player having made a £33m move to Stamford Bridge from Marseille last summer, but the 23-year-old has often played second fiddle to Costa with 20 of his appearances coming from the substitutes’ bench.

The Belgium international played just 235 minutes of Premier League football in total all season, but four goals in the last three games of the season showed the potential he has when he is given an opportunity.

With Conte already being linked with the likes of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, Sutton believes he might not get that chance.

Speaking to Goal, the 44-year-old said: “I’ve been impressed with Batshuayi when he’s come on but do I think Conte has total faith in him? I’m not so sure.

“I think they’ll be looking to buy a top class striker and they’re now in a position as Champions where it’s an attractive club to go to.

“I think Costa’s departure would be a big loss for Chelsea. I just wonder if Conte can talk him around.”

Chelsea have the chance to complete a domestic double when they face Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, with Costa once again sure to get the nod ahead of Batshuayi in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reassured Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas that he remains a part of his plans for the news season, according to reports from The Express.

What’s the word?

There has been little to worry about at Stamford Bridge this season. After a mixed start the west Londoners moved to three at the back and waltzed to a second Premier League title in three years and a first for Conte.

However, one talking point has been the future of former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas. Go back a few months and the World Cup winner looked destined for a move away from the club, there was even talk of a January loan to London rivals West Ham at one point.

With his future up in the air the 29-year-old, who reached the landmark of 100 Premier League assists – quicker than any other player – on New Year’s Eve last year, remained focused and made a series of crucial appearances in the second half of the season to reaffirm his manager’s faith.

Will his role change?

The two-time European Championship winner has made it very clear that he needs more first team football while he’s still able to play at the highest level.

However, despite Conte’s assurances, it seems that the rumoured arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko will keep the Spaniard playing second fiddle.

On the other hand, the fact that the Blues are once again back on the European stage will mean there is more room for manoeuvre and rotation from the former Juventus boss, allowing Fabregas the chance to get more minutes.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Chelsea and Manchester City will have to pay at least £70m if they want to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Saints were said to be demanding what would be a world-record fee for a defender to prise their captain away from St Mary’s, and it seems they have upped the ante following a messy situation with Liverpool.

Reports emerged in a number of media outlets that the Dutchman had chosen to link up with Jurgen Klopp this summer, but the Reds were forced to release a statement apologising to the south coast outfit which confirmed they had ended their interest in signing the player after they were reported to the Premier League for making an alleged illegal approach.

Now it seems Southampton are even more determined to keep hold of their skipper – who has five years remaining on his current deal – and Chelsea or Manchester City would need to pay £70m – or possibly even more – to sign Van Dijk this summer.

Would either club pay it?

It’s difficult to say.

While both Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola are known to be admirers of the 25-year-old – who has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League since moving to St Mary’s two years ago – they may feel they could get better value elsewhere.

The Blues are said to have targeted Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci while Guardiola will be assessing his options and whether he desperately needs another centre-back to compete with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi.

Is he worth the price tag?

While he is obviously a great player, is great in the air, comfortable on the ball and has his best years ahead of him, he probably isn’t worth £70m – a fee which is £20m more than the £50m Chelsea paid for David Luiz last summer.

But of course with the ever-increasing transfer fees and the fact that he has five years left on his contract, Southampton are entitled to ask for what they feel is a fair valuation of their player and one they want to keep.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, with a move to Liverpool seemingly unlikely and Man City or Chelsea unlikely to pay the £70m that Southampton want for Van Dijk, he could find himself staying at St Mary’s at least until the January transfer window.

Whether he is willing to get his head down or go the other way and hand in a transfer request remains to be seen.

On Monday, Leeds United revealed that midfielder Luke Murphy would return to Burton Albion on loan for the 2017-18 campaign after a successful stint at the Pirelli Stadium last term.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the Brewers, scoring once in 18 appearances after struggling for football at Elland Road.

Murphy joined Leeds from Crewe Alexandra in 2013, and the midfielder made 111 appearances during his first three seasons at the club, including 103 appearances in the Championship.

He did not make a single league appearance for Leeds last season, however, and has again been deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the new campaign, which starts next month.

Leeds supporters, however, are confused as to why Murphy has been sent on another loan, rather than left the club on a permanent basis.

At 27 and with a host of Football League appearance, interest in the experienced midfielder would not exactly be short, but it seems that his wages at Leeds have put off other clubs.

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According to the Hull Daily Mail, Aston Villa are closing in on a deal for Hull City winger Ahmed Elmohamady after activating his £1m release clause.

Villa boss Steve Bruce knows the 29-year-old well having previously signed him for Sunderland and the Tigers and he could be reunited with the Egyptian wide-man, who can also play at wing-back and full-back, for a third time.

The Midlands outfit are hoping to strengthen their squad as they look to secure a return to the Premier League next season following a disappointing 13th-placed finish in the Championship last time out, and Elmohamady could follow John Terry and Sam Johnstone through the Villa Park doors.

Aston Villa supporters were quick to have their say on the potential arrival via social media, and while some feel that it is a “no-brainer” to sign him, others feel that it would be “pointless”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Everton have been one of the Premier League’s busiest clubs in the transfer market so far this summer, with Ronald Koeman bringing in the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford, Sandro Ramirez and Davy Klaassen.

But recent speculation suggests the Toffees gaffer’s shopping spree isn’t over just yet, with a striker seemingly in his thinking.

Indeed, whilst Sky Sports have linked Christian Benteke after bagging 15 goals for Crystal Palace last season, The Telegraph have mooted Arsenal’s 64-cap France international Olivier Giroud as a potential strike target.

With that in mind, we asked Everton supporters last week which front-man they’d prefer Koeman to sign this summer and according to our poll, the vast majority want to see Giroud at Goodison Park with a whopping 87% voting in his favour.

How much Arsenal would want for the Frenchman, who has scored 27 times for his country, remains to be seen. But Transfermarkt value him at a rather reasonable £18.7million.