Chelsea vs Newcastle Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These two sides have big weeks in Europe coming up as they return to Premier League action with Chelsea welcoming Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock
Chelsea preview: Terrible end in Paris
Chelsea come into this one on the back of a 5-2 hammering at the hands of reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, having been level at 2-2 as late as the 74th minute.
The Blues have been reasonable since the appointment of Liam Rosenior and they are expected to secure a top five finish and UEFA Champions League qualification after their recent 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Newcastle preview: All eyes on Barcelona
Newcastle United come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash in a game that Newcastle should have put Barca to the sword before a last-gasp Lamine Yamal penalty.
The Magpies have been inconsistent throughout the campaign and, having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions against Manchester City in the last month or so, there is complete focus on Europe.
Chelsea team news: Gittens to return
Former Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is set to return to the squad for this weekend, while Estevao is expected to be sidelined once again ahead of being assessed just before the clash with PSG this week.
Levi Colwill is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ACL injury, involved in some parts of training sessions, but he remains sidelined for the time being. Pedro Neto is again missing through suspension as a result of dissent after his red card against Arsenal.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Fitness), Estevao (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Neto (Suspended)
Questionable:
Newcastle team news: Nobody back yet
Lewis Miley is working his way back to full fitness but Eddie Howe has said he doesn't expect any players to return for this one and so the youngster will have to wait.
Anthony Gordon is expected to be fully fit and available after dealing with illness in midweek, while Tino Livramento has returned to action for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Wissa, Gordon
Unavailable: Schar (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Miley (Injured), Guimaraes (Injured)
Questionable:
Chelsea vs Newcastle prediction
As they prepare to travel to Spain this midweek, Newcastle will believe that, especially on the counter-attack, they have a real chance of giving Barcelona a bloody nose at Camp Nou. It would therefore be no surprise to see Eddie Howe, be it tactically or mentally, almost sacrifice this game, while Chelsea, with little hope against PSG and needing to keep up the pressure on Villa and Manchester United, firm favourites.
Chelsea vs Newcastle tip: Chelsea to win
