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Newcastle United host Chelsea in a mouth-watering Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
Victory will see Newcastle move up to sixth in the table, whilst Chelsea can go eighth if Brighton and West Ham both lose elsewhere.
Team News
Lewis Hall is ineligible to feature for Newcastle due to having joined on loan from Chelsea this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes (suspension) is back in contention but Fabian Schar (hamstring), Miguel Almiron (muscle), Sean Longstaff (fitness) and Alexander Isak (groin) are doubtful.
Dan Burn (back), Matt Targett, Callum Wilson (both hamstring), Sven Botman (knee), Elliott Anderson (back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
Chelsea could welcome Levi Colwill (shoulder) and Malo Gusto (tendon) into contention, after the pair withdrew from international duty for England and France respectively.
Romeo Lavia (ankle) and Christopher Nkunku (knee) could also feature if declared match fit by club doctors.
Trevorh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell (both hamstring), Wesley Fofana (ACL) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knee) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 25 November, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have claimed four points in their last six meetings against Chelsea (W1, D1, L4).
- Chelsea have won three of their last five visits to Newcastle (W3, L2).
- Eddie Howe’s Magpies are looking to go three consecutive league games without defeat for the first time since September 1994 – September 1995.
- Anthony Gordon has scored in Newcastle’s last two league matches at home (W2).
- Chelsea have conceded 10 goals in their last five league matches (W2, D2, L1).
Prediction
As great as it has been seeing Newcastle attempting to fight on four fronts in this half of the season, there clearly is work to be done because their squad depth has been badly impacted by injuries, which showed in a lacklustre loss at Bounemouth where they lacked much quality.
Bruno Guimaraes’ return though will be welcome in the Magpies’ midfield because he will add extra energy in terms of attacking moves from midfield into attack, which will be boosted if Isak is also back up front as Joelinton and Anthony Gordon aren’t the best as a central striker.
Chelsea meanwhile seem to have finally found confidence and momentum with one defeat in their last seven games in all competitions, yet defending does remain their weak point but their gutsy attack saaved them in a cracking draw against Manchester City.
In fact you would be foolish to predict a goalless draw because there are goals within both teams here but I can see Newcastle’s heavy injury list costing them a result here, unless they nail their tactics and can execute a clinical win.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea
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