Preview: Newcastle United vs Chelsea – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

Newcastle United and Chelsea will be keen to return to winning ways when they face each other at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League. 

The Magpies are currently sitting seventh in the league standings, while the West Londoners are four points behind them in 10th spot. 

Match Preview 

After a very promising start to the new season, Eddie Howe’s men are now enduring a difficult run of form. The Tyneside club lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund earlier this month to dent their hopes for the Champions League knockouts. 

Then, their seven-game unbeaten league run was brought to an end by Bournemouth in their last fixture before the international break. 

The Cherries ran out 2-0 winners at the Vitality Stadium with Dominic Solanke scoring both goals for the hosts. 

One of the big reasons for Newcastle’s struggles in recent weeks is their numerous injury problems, with several key players sidelined with fitness issues. 

However, the international break has come at a good time for Eddie Howe’s men, allowing some of their stars to regain fitness ahead of a busy run of fixtures in the coming weeks. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea have shown great signs of promise in recent months. They came away with three points from a difficult away fixture at Tottenham Hotspur before holding treble-winners Manchester City to a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues fought back from a goal down on three occasions and thoroughly deserved a point in the end. 

Cole Palmer grabbed all the headlines in the home contest, with the former City man scoring from the spot in injury-time to ensure the spoils were shared. 

Team News 

Manager Eddie Howe is dealing with several injury woes this weekend, with Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy and Javi Manquillo all nursing knocks. However, in good Newcastle news, Alexander Isak, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar should all be able to return to the matchday squad. 

As for Chelsea, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Marcus Bettinelli, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka will all be missing on Saturday due to injuries. Meanwhile, there are doubts over the availability of Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia despite returning to training.  

Newcastle United vs Chelsea Potential line-ups 

Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Gordon, Joelinton

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling

How to Watch? 

Newcastle United vs Chelsea, as well as all other games in the English top-flight, can be watched via the football streams. 

Newcastle United vs Chelsea prediction 

Chelsea will be the more confident side ahead of the Premier League clash on Saturday, having picked up four points from their last two fixtures. But Newcastle boast a brilliant record at St James’ Park this season. Therefore, we are expecting a stalemate this weekend. 

Newcastle United 2-2 Chelsea