Newcastle United vs Chelsea Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Saturday late afternoon is booked for a high-stakes Premier League encounter between high-flying Newcastle United and out-of-sorts Chelsea at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s men needed a penalty shootout to crash Crystal Palace out of the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday, yet the 44-year-old manager seized the opportunity to rest numerous first-team stars.

Fresh legs could hand the Magpies a massive leg-up in this high-profile fixture as they aim to strengthen their position in a keenly-contested top-four race ahead of the World Cup break. 

Confidence is a commodity Newcastle have in abundance these days, with the hosts coming into this showdown riding on a jaw-dropping ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W7, D3).

In-form forward Miguel Almiron broke the deadlock in last weekend’s 4-1 thumping of Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium, getting on the scoresheet for the fourth Premier League appearance in a row.

Almiron will be under the spotlight when underperforming Chelsea arrive in Tyneside on Saturday, seeking redemption following a brace of defeats ‘to nil.’

Unable to recover from a 1-0 toppling at the hands of Arsenal last week, Graham Potter’s team suffered a 2-0 loss at Manchester City in midweek EFL Cup action. 

Chelsea’s memory of their most recent road trip in the Premier League is far from fond, with Potter’s former employers Brighton & Hove Albion thrashing them 4-1 at the AMEX Stadium.

Now winless in four league outings on the trot (D2, L2), the Londoners can ill-afford to lose more ground on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who already boast a five-point lead.

Match Preview

Newcastle United

Inspired by an impressive four-match winning run in the Premier League, Newcastle are adamant about defying an underwhelming four-game top-flight form against Chelsea on home turf (W1, L3).

However, you’d have to go back to November 2014 for the last time the Magpies won five Premier League fixtures in succession, highlighting the size of the task at hand.

Speaking of ancient history, Newcastle last scored 4+ goals in three consecutive top-flight contests in 1961, but after putting precisely four goals past Southampton and Aston Villa, they can do it now.

Chelsea

Chelsea have found their recent Premier League meetings with Newcastle a walk in the park, winning seven of their eight previous H2Hs in the competition (L1), including the last four on the spin without conceding. 

But given the Blues’ alarming dip in form, they look closer to losing three successive league games for the first time since 2015 than putting the Magpies to the sword again. 

Despite Raheem Sterling’s rough patch under Potter, the ex-Man City man could be a key to unlocking Newcastle’s defence after having his hand in six goals across his last six league appearances against them.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea Potential Line-ups

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock; Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron. 

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic; Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

How to Watch?

Newcastle United vs Chelsea, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea Preview

We’d back Chelsea to conquer St James’ Park in other circumstances, but the spirit and team chemistry shown by Newcastle this season make it impossible to bet against them.

While tipping the Magpies to take another three points makes sense, we expect a draw, especially considering Potter will go all-out before the Premier League takes a back seat to accommodate the World Cup.

Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea