Newcastle vs Chelsea Preview

• Draw or Newcastle win
• Více než 2,5 gólu

As the race for UEFA Champions League qualification heats up, two contenders collide in what promises to be a decisive Premier League showdown. Newcastle United host Chelsea at St James’ Park, with both sides knowing that dropped points here could be costly in a tight top-five battle. Newcastle come into this fixture with the wind in their sails after five successive home league wins, each of the last three coming by three-goal margins.

Recent history favours the Magpies at home in this fixture, having won seven of the last 11 Premier League head-to-heads against Chelsea at St James’ Park (D1, L3). Manager Eddie Howe has recorded seven career victories against Chelsea — each against a different opposing manager — and will be keen to add Enzo Maresca to that list for the second time this season, having overseen a 2-0 EFL Cup win over the Blues earlier in the campaign.

Chelsea Riding High on European Momentum

Chelsea arrive in good spirits after sealing a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgården in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, capping off a fifth straight victory in all competitions. While they now look forward to a European final, domestic business remains the priority with a Champions League berth still up for grabs via league position. Chelsea currently sit just behind Newcastle in the standings and could leapfrog them with a result here.

Their historical record against Newcastle in the Premier League is strong, with 31 wins overall — a tally only bettered by their results against Tottenham (37) and West Ham (32). However, Chelsea’s away record at St James’ Park has wavered in recent years, and they’ll need to be near their best to reverse that trend.

Key Players to Watch

For Newcastle, all eyes will be on Bruno Guimarães, who has been instrumental in their midfield throughout the season. The Brazilian has won more fouls than any other Premier League player this term (over 100), which speaks volumes about how often he is targeted by the opposition and how central he is to Newcastle’s ball progression and tempo control.His link-up with Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s top scorer, could prove pivotal — the Swede has already netted 20+ goals this season and scored in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge.

On the Chelsea side, Cole Palmer has been their standout player of the campaign. The former Manchester City man ended his goal drought last weekend with a sharp finish against Liverpool and remains the club’s leading scorer.

Palmer’s ability to influence the game after the interval has been notable, with four of his last five away league goals coming after half-time.

Tactical Overview and Recent Form

Newcastle’s recent home form has been nothing short of dominant, with high-intensity pressing and aggressive wing play characterising their performances. The return of Anthony Gordon to the starting XI has added further pace and trickery on the flank, while Fabian Schär and Dan Burn have brought stability at the back.

Chelsea’s recent improvement under Maresca has been marked by greater defensive discipline and midfield control. The central pairing of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo have started to look more cohesive, providing a solid platform for their attackers. The Blues have also shown an ability to manage close games better in recent weeks — something that was lacking earlier in the campaign.

What’s at Stake

A victory for Newcastle would all but secure their return to European football next season, potentially putting them in pole position for a top-four or top-five finish depending on other results. For Chelsea, three points would represent not just a significant leap in the table but a psychological boost as they push for late-season silverware and a Champions League place.

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Newcastle v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League