It’s a huge game at St James’ Park this Sunday lunchtime as fourth-placed Newcastle United host fifth-placed Chelsea. The two sides are only separated by goals scored, having the same number of points and goal difference as each other.
With sixth-placed Nottingham Forest only two points behind them, and seventh-placed Villa a point worse off further still, both sides will be looking to claim the win to consolidate their position in the top five of the Premier League.
Forest in particular are a real threat as they are expected to pick up all three points against an already doomed Leicester outfit this weekend.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CHELSEA PREVIEW
Chelsea are a team in form, having won their last three Premier League matches. On Thursday, they reached the Europa Conference League final, beating Djurgården 1-0 on the night for a 5-1 aggregate win.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have only won one of their last three Premier League games. They go into this fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw at Brighton. Alexander Isak equalised with a penalty in the 89th minute, with the Swede netting his 23rd league goal of the season in the process.
Newcastle beat Chelsea earlier this season in their winning League Cup run. Isak and an Axel Disasi own goal proved to be the difference back in October.
This game took place three days after their first Premier League meeting of the season at Stamford Bridge. Isak was on the score sheet again, but goals from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer gave Chelsea a 2-1 win.
Last season’s corresponding fixture at St James’ Park saw Newcastle run rampant 4-1. Raheem Sterling equalised after an Isak opener, but goals from Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon saw Newcastle claim victory.
Joelinton is a new name added to Newcastle’s injury list. He joins captain Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Hall away from the action.
Matt Targett will likely be absent with a hamstring injury and Fabian Schar’s involvement is unknown.
For Chelsea, Marc Guiu is unlikely to start but he could appear on the bench. Christopher Nkunku’s recent absence makes this more likely.
Wesley Fofana and Aaron Anselmino are both out with hamstring injuries.
All of this means that Chelsea could field the same line-up for the third straight Premier League game.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CHELSEA – PREDICTIONS
Newcastle United Win
Newcastle have home advantage and did not play in midweek and so will be more rested than Chelsea. They have also won all of their last five games at St James’ Park.
Draw
With both teams level on points and having the same goal difference, it is clear they are evenly matched. Three wins for Chelsea and two for Newcastle in their last five outings in all competitions highlights this further.
Chelsea Win
Chelsea are very much a team in form right now, having won their last three Premier League games and their last five in all competitions.
PREMIER LEAGUE – TOP SCORER
| # | Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mohamed Salah |
Liverpool FC | 28 | 17 | 36 |
| 2 |
Alexander Isak |
Newcastle United FC | 23 | 6 | 33 |
| 3 |
Erling Haaland |
Manchester City FC | 21 | 3 | 30 |
| 4 |
Chris Wood |
Nottingham Forest FC | 20 | 3 | 34 |
| 5 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
Brentford FC | 18 | 8 | 36 |
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CHELSEA – BETTING TIPS
Newcastle United Win
It’s hard to look past Newcastle’s home record. They have won their last five games at St James’ Park and seven of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea. They also won the last fixture between the two teams on Tyneside, earlier this season in the League Cup.
Alexander Isak To Score
The Swede has scored in all of his last four appearances against Chelsea in all competitions. He is also a man in form, having scored four goals in his last five appearances at St James’ Park. No other player in the Premier League has scored as many goals at home as Isak has this season (12). Since the start of December, Isak has scored 19 goals in total, 15 of them not being penalties. This is more than any other player in the league on both metrics.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Newcastle United and Chelsea have played each other 178 times, with the Magpies winning 57. Chelsea have won 81, while there have been 40 draws.
- Chelsea have met Newcastle five times in the last two seasons, with the Blues winning three (one on penalties) and the Magpies winning two.
- Newcastle have won seven of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea (D1 L3).
- Alexander Isak has scored in all four of his last appearances against Chelsea in all competitions.
- Only Liverpool (46) have picked up more points than Newcastle (43) in their last 20 Premier League home fixtures.
- Newcastle have won five in a row at St James’ Park. They have scored three goals or more in four of these wins.
- Chelsea have won their last three Premier League games and last five games in all competitions.
- Chelsea are looking to secure back-to-back league away wins for the first time in five months.
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-05-2025 |
Newcastle United FC |
2 - 0 |
Chelsea FC |
| 27-10-2024 |
Chelsea FC |
2 - 1 |
Newcastle United FC |
| 11-03-2024 |
Chelsea FC |
3 - 2 |
Newcastle United FC |
