Newcastle United entered the 2022-23 English Premier League season with a goal of cracking the top 10. They succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, riding a stifling defense and opportunistic attack to a fourth-place  finish. Their 19-14-5 finish locked in their first Champions League in 20 years, and they expect to build on that success in the  2023-24 season.

The Magpies tied for fewest goals allowed last season (33) and scored the sixth-most in the Premier League (68). Now, they are on the verge of signing Leicester top scorer Harvey Barnes (13 goals) and haven't been hesitant to spend money to give manager Eddie Howe the pieces he needs. The goal in 2023-24 will be turning draws into victories. Newcastle tied league champion Manchester City for fewest losses in the league but also had 14 draws, tied for the most.     

Newcastle also will be looking to defy the oddsmakers. Caesars Sportsbook has the Magpies priced at +1800 to win the title, last among the six teams shorter than 50-1, in its 2023-24 Premier League futures. Manchester City are the clear -175 favorites, followed by 2022-23 runners-up Arsenal (+800). Liverpool (+850), Manchester United (+1000) and Chelsea (+1600) also are shorter than Newcastle in the 2023-24 EPL futures.

The 2023-24 English Premier League season kicks off Aug. 11 wtih Manchester City visiting newly-promoted Burnley in the Friday opener. There's a full slate over that weekend, and United host West Ham on Monday, Aug. 14. 

Check out my English Premier League team previews below -- today's featured team is Newcastle. I had a profitable season on EPL picks in 2022-23 and went 21-10 -- bringing a profit of $1,147 for $100 bettors -- on his Champions League predictions.

• EPL Season Previews: Power Rankings | Manchester City | Manchester United | Liverpool | Arsenal | Chelsea
  

Can Newcastle claim another top-four spot -- or move even higher -- in the 2023-24 English Premier League season? Will they build on their 2022-23 success or will they regress after the surprising run? ... Join SportsLine right now to see EPL futures odds and team previews from the SportsLine expert up more than $1,100 on his Champions League picks!