Newcastle host Chelsea in a high-noon Premier League showdown in the race for a top-five finish.
Locked on 63 points apiece and only separated by goals scored in fourth and fifth respectively, Newcastle and Chelsea know that a win would put them up to third in the table.
Team News
Kieran Trippier is available for Newcastle despite suffering cramp in their 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend.
Fabian Schar (knock) is a doubt but Matt Targett (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton (both knee) and Lewis Hall (foot) remain absent.
Chelsea will be without Aaron Anselmino due to a hamstring injury which kept him out of their UEFA Conference League win over Djurgarden.
Christopher Nkunku (knock), Wesley Fofana (muscle), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman (both hamstring) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park on Sunday 11 May at 12pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have avoided defeat in three of their last five league meetings against Chelsea (W2, D1, L2).
- Chelsea have won two of their last five trips to Newcastle (W2, L3).
- Both teams have scored in their last four league meetings, during which Newcastle scored eight goals to Chelsea’s seven.
- Bruno Guimaraes has created more through ball passes than any other Newcastle player this season (21).
- Moises Caicedo has picked up more yellow cards in the league this season than any other Chelsea player, having been booked in ten of his 35 appearances.
Prediction
Having found themselves harshly treated by VAR in their 1-1 draw at Brighton where their final touches in open play weren’t their clinical best, Newcastle need to use those frustrations as motivation because this is now a massive opportunity to put a top-five finish in their own hands if be more composed in their attacking end product.
Chelsea meanwhile made several changes for their UEFA Conference League’s semi-final second-leg win over Djurgarden so I am expecting a return to the team which absolutely outclassed Liverpool, although they will be in for more of a battle given their away form in the league since mid-December.
Newcastle though have had more preparation time and the short turnaround for Chelsea from Thursday night to Sunday at noon could play a part in the second half, but I do expect this to be fiercely close with Newcastle having the edge.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea
Result: Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea
Leave a Reply