Barring a hiccup against Blackburn Rovers last weekend, Newcastle's season has gone as expected, with Rafa Benitez's boys sitting two points clear at the top of the Championship.

Following their relegation from the Premier League, Newcastle look set to return to the promised land - but they also remain in contention to secure a first major domestic trophy since 1955.

Rafa's priority is surely securing promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, but the Toon are preparing for an EFL Cup quarter-final clash away to Hull City with the intention of victory.

Following last weekend's set-back - a 1-0 loss at St James' Park - Benitez will be hoping to avenge the defeat by securing the Toon a place in the semi-final - something many feel Magpies fans deserve after so many years of disappointment.

So although the history of the League Cup has been dominated by top flight sides, FootballFanCast are backing the second-tier Magpies as shock candidates to go all the way, and here are THREE reasons why.

Number of high profile exits already

West Ham United v Chelsea - EFL Cup Fourth Round

Wednesday's clash with Hull City will provide inspiration for the Newcastle players with the knowledge some Premier League heavyweights have already departed the competition in earlier rounds.

With the chances of domestic success coming so irregularly for the Magpies, victory over Hull would guarantee a semi-final place for the Toon and the possibility of a trophy.

That 61-year wait for silverware may finally come to an end with many teams of superior quality having already been knocked out..

Benitez knows how to win trophies

Britain Football Soccer - Preston North End v Newcastle United - Sky Bet Championship - Deepdale - 29/10/16 Newcastle United Manager Rafael Benitez celebrates after the game Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Adam Holt Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acc

At the moment, Newcastle currently have a manager with the know-how to achieve success against the odds.

The Spaniard has made a career out of coming out victorious against the odds with his sides - his achievements at Valencia (La Liga), Liverpool (Champions League), and Chelsea (Europa League) all occurred when he was expected to fail.

Indeed, at Newcastle, he can also prove many of his critics wrong once again by ending the club's trophy drought.

Luck of the draw

Britain Football Soccer - Hull City v Southampton - Premier League - The Kingston Communications Stadium - 6/11/16 Hull City's Will Keane sustains an injury Reuters / Scott Heppell Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details

Newcastle face an underperforming Hull City side who are struggling for both confidence and results.

The Magpies, on the other hand, have lost just one game in 14 and are high on belief. A victory would ensure a semi-final place and a two-legged contest against a drawn team.

As most teams would fear travelling to St. James's Park, the Toon could feasibly overcome the odds again and a final at Wembley would provide the ultimate setting for a giant-killing.