Chelsea vs Newcastle: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon just three days before the clubs meet again in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

The Blues will travel to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening and will aim to do so having tasted victory in the weekend’s Premier League duel. After a draw with Nottingham Forest and defeat to Liverpool in their most recent domestic encounters, Enzo Maresca’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways.

The west Londoners did secure a second successive Europa Conference League victory against Panathinaikos on Thursday, lifting them to the summit of the recently expanded 36-team table. An entirely changed XI strolled to a 4-1 victory, leaving a number of first-team stars well rested for the weekend.

Newcastle’s form has taken a concerning dip in recent weeks and they are now four Premier League matches without victory. A goalless draw with Everton before the international break was followed by a disappointing home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. Eddie Howe’s side lost both their trips to Stamford Bridge last season but did beat the Blues 4-1 on home soil.

Here is 90min’s guide to Chelsea vs Newcastle.

Chelsea vs Newcastle H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Chelsea have no significant injury concerns heading into Sunday’s clash with Newcastle but will name a much-changed side from the team that won in Greece midweek.

Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana return from their suspensions – the former did play against Panathinaikos – and Reece James should feature again at right-back after making his first start of the season against Liverpool last time out.

Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix all impressed midweek but are unlikely to displace Jadon Sancho, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in the starting XI. Enzo Fernandez’s 70-minute outing on Thursday means he may only make the bench this weekend.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Newcastle’s injury woes seemingly never disappear and the Magpies are still without an array of first-team players. In defence, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Martin Dubravka are all sidelined, although Dan Burn should be fit to feature despite suffering a knock against Brighton.

Up front, Callum Wilson’s return has been further delayed after Howe confirmed that the England international would miss the next three games at the very least.

Cobham graduates Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are likely to face their former employers, while Anthony Gordon features for the first time since signing a new long-term contract with the Magpies.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Kelly; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Tonali; Gordon, Isak, Barnes.

Newcastle’s disappointing form in recent weeks doesn’t offer the Magpies much hope of securing a result in the capital. Considering that they haven’t beaten the Blues on the road since Papiss Cisse’s memorable double in 2012, a draw would be a great result for Howe’s side.

However, with Chelsea fielding an entirely changed XI midweek and boasting some of the division’s most devastating attacking players, they will be rightful favourites on Sunday. It’s unlikely to be a commanding victory up against an energetic Newcastle but the Blues should earn all three points.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

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