Based on what’s been consistently inconsistent season so far, you may be surprised to know that we’ve won EIGHT of our last nine games at St James’ Park in all competitions.
Aside from the late 2-2 draw with Spurs earlier this month, we’ve beaten Man City, Burnley, Fulham (twice), Nottingham Forest, as well as Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, and Spurs in the Carabao Cup.
Today, Chelsea come to town in what Paul Merson believes to be a “massive” match for both clubs, feeling Chelsea will be out of sight for Eddie Howe’s Mags if they win to move nine clear of Newcastle.
On the flip side, the Sky Sports pundit reckons Newcastle will soon be right back in contention for those Champions League spots should we see off Enzo Maresca’s men, as we’d close to gap to three and suddenly move just one point behind 5th place before others play.
Speaking to Sportskeeda in his latest prediction piece, Merson said:
“This is a massive football match. I was at Cardiff the other day watching Chelsea getting an important win in the cup. Now they take the trip to Newcastle in what is a fixture that can have great impact on who finishes inside the top four in the Premier League.
“If Chelsea win this game, they will be nine points ahead of Newcastle. I don’t think Newcastle will be able to catch up with Chelsea if that kind of lead opens up between them.
“Both these teams will not catch Arsenal or Manchester City. So they are essentially fighting for the remaining European spots. And there is a lot of competition for teams to finish behind Arsenal and City.
“Newcastle can’t get going at home for some reason. Now they play back-to-back games against Chelsea and Manchester United. If Newcastle win these two games, they have a strong chance of finishing in the top four.
“Cole Palmer returning to the Chelsea line-up is a massive boost to Enzo Maresca’s team. We saw his impact against Everton. It wasn’t the best of performances from Chelsea, but he still grabbed a really good goal.
“We must not forget that Chelsea were playing competitive football till July last season. They will be forced to manage the minutes of Palmer and others with so many games coming up in the next few weeks. It will be interesting to see how many matches Palmer starts in the festive period.
“I didn’t think Newcastle were great in their win over Fulham in the cup. Chelsea have been decent away from home as well. I think this will be a draw and that’s a good result for Chelsea.”
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea
Elsewhere, Merson is backing Brighton to beat Sunderland, comfortable wins for Bournemouth, Man City and Liverpool, along with Aston Villa to see off Man Utd on Sunday.
- Bournemouth 3-1 Burnley
- Brighton 2-1 Sunderland
- Man City 3-1 West Ham
- Wolves 1-2 Brentford
- Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool
- Everton 1-2 Arsenal
- Leeds 2-0 Crystal Palace
- Aston Villa 3-1 Man United
- Fulham 2-2 Nottingham Forest
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Highest Paying Jobs in the UK 2026 (No Degree Required) – Full Hiring Guide
The UK job market in 2026 is creating strong opportunities for workers without university degrees. Due to labor shortages, rising wages, and demand across key industries, many roles now offer competitive salaries, stable contracts, and visa sponsorship options for qualified workers.
This guide focuses on real, in-demand UK jobs that pay well, require little or no formal education, and are suitable for both UK residents and international applicants.
1. HGV (Truck) Driver Jobs in the UK
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers remain among the highest-paid non-degree workers in the UK. Supermarkets, logistics firms, construction companies, and fuel suppliers continue to face driver shortages, pushing wages higher each year.
Salary Range
- £38,000 – £65,000 per year
- Overtime and night shifts can exceed £70,000
Requirements
- UK HGV Class 1 or Class 2 licence
- Driver CPC qualification
- No university degree required
Why This Job Pays Well
Long hours, responsibility, and supply chain importance make HGV driving one of the best-paid manual professions in the UK. Employers often cover training costs.
2. Construction Site Supervisor (Experience-Based)
Construction supervisors oversee daily site operations, safety compliance, and workforce coordination. Many professionals rise into this role through experience rather than formal education.
Salary Range
- £40,000 – £60,000 per year
Requirements
- Construction site experience
- CSCS or SSSTS certification
- No degree required
Construction jobs attract high advertising bids due to insurance, equipment, training, and recruitment demand.
3. Security Control Room Operator
Unlike basic security guard roles, control room operators monitor CCTV systems, coordinate emergency responses, and manage access control for large facilities, airports, and business centers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £50,000 per year
Requirements
- SIA licence
- Basic IT and communication skills
- No academic degree required
4. Warehouse Operations Manager (Promotion-Based)
Many warehouse managers start as pickers or supervisors and move up through performance. E-commerce growth has pushed logistics salaries significantly higher.
Salary Range
- £42,000 – £58,000 per year
Industries Hiring
- Amazon fulfilment centres
- Supermarket distribution hubs
- Import and export warehouses
5. Care Home Manager (NVQ Route)
Care home managers oversee elderly and assisted living facilities. This role follows vocational certification routes rather than university education.
Salary Range
- £45,000 – £65,000 per year
Why It Pays Well
An aging population and staff shortages have pushed salaries higher, especially in private care homes.
6. Roofing & Specialist Trades
Roofers, scaffolders, and specialist trade workers earn premium wages due to physical demand and skill shortages.
Salary Range
- £180 – £300 per day
- Annual income up to £70,000
7. Taxi & Private Hire Drivers (High-Demand Cities)
London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds offer strong earning potential for licensed private hire drivers.
Salary Range
- £35,000 – £55,000 per year
Visa Sponsorship for UK Jobs
Some UK employers offer sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. While not all jobs qualify, roles in logistics, healthcare support, construction, and technical operations may be eligible depending on employer approval.
How to Apply for High-Paying UK Jobs
- Apply directly on company career websites
- Register with UK recruitment agencies
- Obtain necessary licences before applying
- Prepare a UK-style CV
In 2026, high-paying jobs in the UK are no longer limited to university graduates. With the right skills, certifications, and experience, workers can secure stable, well-paid roles across logistics, construction, healthcare support, and security sectors.
For job seekers aiming to work in the UK or improve their income, focusing on short-term training and high-demand industries remains the smartest path.
