A pivotal showdown awaits on Tyneside this Sunday as Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park in a Champions League six-pointer that could define the Premier League top-four race.
With both sides locked on 63 points heading into Gameweek 36, Eddie Howe’s men know that victory would strike a decisive blow in the fight for elite European football next season.
Newcastle vs Chelsea previews as Champions League race intensifies on Tyneside
Newcastle return home after a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Brighton, and they do so knowing there is little margin for error. The Magpies are clinging to fourth place only by goal difference, with Chelsea breathing down their necks.
The Toon remain four points behind Arsenal and just one ahead of Manchester City. Nottingham Forest (61) and Aston Villa (60) are also lurking ominously. Slip-ups now could prove fatal.
But this is St James’ Park. And this is where Newcastle shine.
Eddie Howe’s side have taken 43 points from their last 20 league matches — only Liverpool (46) have taken more. That form has been built on a fierce home run where Newcastle have won five in a row, including demolition jobs against Man United (4-1), Crystal Palace (5-0), and Forest (4-3). Confidence is back.
And Chelsea? They may be resurgent, but their record in this part of the North East is grim.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues arrive on the back of three straight Premier League wins. That run has lifted them into the top-five discussion again, but serious questions still remain over their credentials — especially away from home.
Since December, Chelsea have won just once on the road. Even that 2-1 victory over Fulham relied on an 83rd-minute equaliser and a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Before that, they went eight league away games without a win, losing five and failing to score in five of those.
So while Cole Palmer’s form (15 league goals) is a concern for Newcastle, Chelsea’s vulnerabilities when away from Stamford Bridge give the Magpies a huge opening.
And Eddie Howe has never lost at home to Chelsea since taking charge. Three wins from three. Scoreline? 7-1 on aggregate.
Newcastle team news vs Chelsea: Major injury blow confirmed
Joelinton’s potential absence for the rest of the season is a huge blow. The Brazilian has missed large parts of this campaign and was slowly working his way back — until Howe confirmed this week that the midfield powerhouse may not return before the end of May.
Matt Targett (hamstring), Lewis Hall (foot) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) are all out, while Fabian Schar is a doubt. That could see Dan Burn paired with Sven Botman in central defence.
Read the detailed Newcastle injury news v Chelsea
Alexander Isak, however, remains Howe’s ace card. The Swede has 23 league goals — 12 of them at St James’ Park — and has scored in four straight appearances against Chelsea. He is Newcastle’s difference-maker.
Chelsea team news vs Newcastle: Lavia back, but big names still missing
Wesley Fofana (hamstring) and Aaron Anselmino (also hamstring) are ruled out. Christopher Nkunku’s availability remains unclear, while Romeo Lavia is expected to feature from the start again.
Moises Caicedo is likely to continue his inverted full-back role, while Palmer, Madueke and Jackson form a fluid and mobile front three. Chelsea are unchanged in their last two wins and could keep the same XI.
Newcastle vs Chelsea: Predicted lineups
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
Newcastle vs Chelsea: Players to watch
Alexander Isak
Scored 12 at home and four in a row against Chelsea. The Magpies will look to their No.14 to produce another moment of magic.
Cole Palmer
Ended his scoring drought last weekend and remains Chelsea’s most dangerous player in the final third.
Bruno Guimaraes
Orchestrates Newcastle’s rhythm. If he wins the midfield battle, the game swings towards the home side.
Newcastle vs Chelsea prediction
Chelsea may be on a hot streak, but Newcastle have been consistent at home for months. The Blues’ poor away form, coupled with Newcastle’s strength at St James’ Park, makes this a fixture Howe will back his side to dominate.
Add in Isak’s lethal form and a hostile Tyneside atmosphere, and we see Newcastle taking a big step towards Champions League football.
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Chelsea