How to watch Newcastle v Chelsea, team news, pre-match quotes, predicted line-ups and more | OneFootball

Newcastle host Chelsea in what could be a decisive match in the race for the top five spots in the Premier League.

The two sides are level on points in fourth and fifth going into the last three games of the season, with Newcastle only above the Blues on goal difference.

As it stands they both sit inside the Champions League places, but Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are breathing down their necks.

Here’s everything you need to know before the clash…

Kick-off time

12:00pm UK time

How to watch

TV: TNT Sports 1

Streaming: Discovery+

Injuries and suspensions

Newcastle: Lewis Hall (out), Jamal Lascelles (out), Matt Targett (out), Joelinton (out),

Chelsea: Wesley Fofana (out), Christopher Nkunku (out), Marc Guiu (doubt), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended), Omari Kellyman (out), Aaron Anselmino (out)

Predicted line-ups

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Murphy

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Fernandez, Palmer; Jackson

Recent form

Newcastle’s form of late has been up and down. The Magpies have enjoyed big wins over Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Ipswich but they also were beaten comprehensively by Aston Villa and drew with Brighton last weekend. They will need a win to help consolidate their place in the top five going into the last two fixtures.

Chelsea progressed to the Conference League final after they saw of Djurgarden 5-1 on aggregate. Both wins were either side of an impressive 3-1 victory over champions Liverpool. The win against the Reds combined with victories against Fulham and Everton have left the Blues in a good spot to achieve Champions League football for next season.

What’s been said?

Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1 in the reverse fixture and the Magpies’ boss Eddie Howe believes that they will be a tough test for his side.

“In the game at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season they were excellent. It was one of our most difficult games of the season.

“Enzo Maresca is a very good manager and very clever with what he does,” he said. “They’ve got great attacking players who can hurt us and we need to be ready for that.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that even though the 12pm kick-off time is not favourable to his team, they are ready to give everything.

He said: “It’s a 12pm kick-off and we played on Thursday night, so it’s not the ideal situation, but we need to play and we need to adapt immediately, prepare for the game in the best way, and hopefully continue our good moment.

“We have two days and the players need to be focused on the Newcastle game because it’s the next one. For us, we have to think like it’s the last game of the season, give everything, and then we see at the end of the game.”