Newcastle United and Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime when they meet at St James’ Park, both sides coming into the game on the back of EFL Cup quarter final success in midweek.
The two teams face each other for the first time since May last season, when goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes secured a 2-0 home win for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Newcastle edged closer to another EFL Cup triumph on Wednesday night after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham. Local youngster Lewis Miley scored a stoppage time winner in a tense contest, while Yoane Wissa also found the net on his first start for the club. A challenging two legged semi final against Manchester City now lies ahead in 2026, but attention quickly turns back to league matters.
Howe’s side currently sit 12th after 16 games, with six wins, four draws and six defeats, yet they remain just four points adrift of the top five. Their league form took a hit last weekend with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to rivals Sunderland, a result that extended their run without a clean sheet to nine consecutive Premier League matches.
A return to home comforts should offer some encouragement. Newcastle have collected nearly three quarters of their league points at St James’ Park this season and have scored exactly twice in each of their last five home league games. Under Howe, they average two goals per home match, a figure bettered only by Kevin Keegan in the club’s managerial history.
Recent meetings with Chelsea have also gone Newcastle’s way. The Magpies have won their last two encounters by a 2-0 scoreline and have claimed victory in each of their last three home league matches against the Blues, a run they last surpassed in the mid 1990s.
Chelsea arrive in the north east after a productive week of their own. Following a 2-0 league win over Everton, they booked their place in the EFL Cup semi finals with a 3-1 victory against Cardiff City. Either Arsenal or Crystal Palace now awaits them in the last four.
Enzo Maresca’s focus, however, is firmly on the league, with five consecutive Premier League fixtures coming up as Chelsea look to strengthen their position in the top four and possibly close the eight point gap to leaders Arsenal. This visit to St James’ Park is followed by games against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Manchester City and Fulham.
Chelsea will be keen to avoid losing successive league matches against Newcastle without scoring for the first time in more than 90 years. They have been among the league’s most balanced sides this season, ranking fourth for goals scored with 27 while also leading the way for clean sheets with eight, level with Arsenal. Five of those shutouts have come in their last seven league outings.
Despite a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Leeds just over two weeks ago, Chelsea have generally been strong defensively away from home, keeping four clean sheets in their last five Premier League matches on the road, a marked improvement on their previous away record.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Newcastle’s injury problems have continued to mount, with Tino Livramento picking up a knee injury in midweek to join an already lengthy list of absentees. Dan Burn remains sidelined with a rib issue, while Nick Pope is out with a groin problem. Kieran Trippier is still recovering from a hamstring injury, Sven Botman is nursing a back issue, William Osula is out with an ankle problem and Emil Krafth continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Lewis Hall was absent for the midweek win over Fulham due to a minor hamstring concern, but Eddie Howe offered some encouragement after the match, suggesting the former Chelsea defender has a chance of being involved in some capacity this weekend.
With options limited at full back, Newcastle will be hoping Hall is fit enough to start on the left, while Lewis Miley could again be asked to fill in on the right. In midfield, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are pushing for recalls alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Howe is still carefully managing Yoane Wissa’s workload following his long injury layoff, which could see Nick Woltemade return to lead the line. Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are also both in contention to come back into the side on the wings.
Chelsea also have several players unavailable. Young Brazilian Estevao Willian will miss out with a muscle injury, joining Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, all sidelined with various issues. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains unavailable through suspension.
After rotating heavily for the midweek victory over Cardiff, Enzo Maresca is expected to restore his strongest lineup. Cole Palmer should return to his preferred number ten role after being rested, while Joao Pedro is set to start as the central striker.
Alejandro Garnacho will be hoping his two goals off the bench against Cardiff earn him a starting spot on the left, while Pedro Neto is also likely to return. The Portuguese winger has been Chelsea’s most productive player in the league this season, with eight goal contributions, including four goals scored away from home.
Moises Caicedo is available again after serving a three match suspension and could partner Enzo Fernandez in a deeper midfield role. In defence, Reece James and Wesley Fofana are both in contention to start alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella in a back four.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
EXPERT PREDICTION
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
