Newcastle, who have secured a remarkable top-four finish, travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, who have endured one of their worst seasons in recent memory, on Sunday at 3.30pm.
Newcastle will be looking to finish the season after a brilliant season back in the Champions League.
Chelsea will be looking to sign off in front of their home crowd with an upbeat performance to end a disappointing season for the Blues as they turn their attention to next season’s preparations.
Key highlights
Newcastle’s return to the Champions League
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle charges have just appointed St. The James Park club have finished top of the table, meaning they will be in the Champions League next season.
Backed by ambitious owners, Newcastle’s next stop will be to maintain their top four status and possibly challenge for major titles domestically and in Europe.
Financially, this feat will allow Newcastle to accelerate their plans in the spending department as they look to transform the team into a bona fide top-six Premier League side and one capable of competing in Europe.
The match at Chelsea will present a stark contrast between promoted Newcastle, fresh into the Champions League, and relegated Chelsea, mired in mid-table mediocrity.
Chelsea can’t wait to see the back of this season
Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s third manager this season, sums up the upheaval and the season the Blues have endured so far.
They started with Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel (now at Bayern Munich), moved in ex-Brighton manager Graham Potter and turned to club legend Lampard to steady the ship.
However, their season went from bad to worse, exacerbated by a massive influx of new faces at almost every level at Chelsea.
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With a bloated squad of around 31 odd players in the first team, managers are struggling to get imagination out of this squad. Lampard has endured a sobering run of games and results since being appointed caretaker manager.
Things can’t get any worse from here for the Blues faithful. With Mauricio Pochettino rumored to be the next manager at Stamford Bridge, this latest match against Newcastle will mark the end of Lampard’s interim tenure and usher in a new era under yet another manager.
Injury report
Chelsea
Frank Lampard has several injuries in the last game against Newcastle.
Centre-back Benoit Badiachile (undisclosed injury), defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante (groin) and left-back Ben Chilwell (hamstring) are unavailable for selection.
Chelsea will also be without left-back Mark Cucurella (muscle), attacking midfielder Mason Mountain (hip), right-back Rhys James (hamstring) and centre-forward Armando Brocha (cruciate ligament tear).
Newcastle
Eddie Howe will be joined by Matty Longstaff (knee), goalkeeper Nick Pope (hand injury) and attacking midfielder Joelinton (hamstring).
Also out are centre-half Joe Willock (hamstring), right-half Matt Ritchie (knee), centre-back Jamaal Lascelles (calf) and right-back Emil Kraft (torn cruciate ligament).
Possible lineups
Chelsea
K. Arrizabalaga; W. Fofana, T. Silva, T. Chalobah; C. Azpilicueta, E. Fernandez, R. Loftus-Cheek, L. Hall; C. Gallagher, K. Havertz, R. Sterling
Newcastle
N. Pap; K. Trippier, F. Schar, S. Botman, D. Burn; S. Longstaff, B. Guimaraes, E. Anderson; M. Almiron, C. Wilson, A. Isak
prediction
Chelsea will look to dominate the match with patient possession and play from the back.
Newcastle will be compact in their approach and push higher up the pitch. They will also break the tempo and try to break down Chelsea’s defence.
Newcastle will win the match and end the season on a high.
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