Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes his side could take advantage of the struggles by bigger clubs and register a surprise this season.
Early on in the campaign the Magpies enjoyed a long unbeaten run to get themselves into the Barclays Premier League top four and although they have since dropped a couple of places they still remain within touching distance.
With the likes of Liverpool, one below in seventh, Arsenal, immediately above them, and fourth-placed Chelsea all having some indifferent results Pardew sees no reason why his team should not benefit.
"We've got a great side and some outstanding players," he told BBC Newcastle from the club's training camp in Tenerife.
"They've been marvellous this season and I just hope we can keep it all together because the way the league is structured at the moment - with one or two of the bigger clubs having a few problems - it's an opportunity for us.
"We're a young side, we haven't been together long and if we can maintain our form and keep getting the wins we need we might surprise ourselves."