Chelsea
Newcastle vs Chelsea | Team News | Expected Line-Ups | Predicted Score
Chelsea take on Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon. Here is our preview with the latest team news, line-ups and prediction
Chelsea have to win to stand any chance of snatching fourth place on the final day of the season when they take on Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues looked dead and buried in the race for Champions League qualification a few weeks ago but they’ve made a late charge to catch Liverpool after winning four of their last five Premier League games.
However, Chelsea wasted a golden opportunity to move level on points with Liverpool after being held to a 1-1 draw by Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge in midweek.
That result leaves them two points adrift with a -15 goal difference compared to the Merseysiders so they have to beat Newcastle and pray Brighton do them a favour by beating Liverpool at Anfield to snatch fourth.
As for Newcastle, they head in to the final game with very little left to play for having secured their top flight status for another year but a defeat could see them finish as low as 15th if other results go against them.
Team news
Chelsea welcome Thibaut Courtois back in to the side after he missed the Huddersfield game with a minor back injury but David Luiz remains out with a knee problem.
Antonio Conte is set to recall Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard after they were rested in midweek while Victor Moses and Tiemoue Bakayoko should also return.
Newcastle will be without loan signing Kenedy as he can’t face his parent club while Islam Slimani is suspended. Ciaran Clark and Christian Atsu remain out with knee injuries.
Predicted Score
Predicted Score
Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea: The Blues are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Newcastle having won 3 and drawn the other so they’ll be hoping to continue that run tomorrow. Newcastle have been coasting in recent weeks so this could be a good game for Chelsea but the Geordies have only conceded 6 goals in their last 10 games at St James’ Park so I’m not expecting a goal-fest. I’m backing Chelsea to edge it 1-0 and all eyes will then be on the result at Anfield.
