Newcastle vs Chelsea: Team News, Kick-off Time, Possible Lineups

Newcastle United host Chelsea today at St James’ Park in a meeting between two of the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs.

A four-game winless run in the league has seen Chelsea drop down into seventh spot in the table, but Newcastle are up in third, with the Magpies picking up 27 points from their opening 14 matches

Since the controversial takeover of Newcastle last year, no Premier League team has a larger net spend than the Magpies. Chelsea came under new ownership just last May and splashed in excess of £250m on transfers last summer, a division-high.

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Thus far, Newcastle’s riches have been put to better use and are guaranteed of a top-four spot come Christmas Day. Chelsea have a game in hand on their upcoming hosts but trails Newcastle by six points.

Here’s everything you need to know about Newcastle vs Chelsea encounter.

Newcastle will again be missing Alexander Isak, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth, and Paul Dummett on Saturday evening through injury, while Callum Wilson is a doubt due to illness.

As expected, Howe made a number of changes for the EFL Cup clash with Palace on Wednesday, but the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock, and Fabian Schar will all be back in the starting side for this contest.

Joelinton missed out against Southampton in the league last weekend through suspension, but the Brazilian is available for this match and is expected to get the nod over Jacob Murphy in the final third of the field.

As for Chelsea, N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, and Reece James will again definitely miss out at St James’ Park.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is also unlikely to be involved due to a foot injury, while Jorginho remains a doubt with the problem that kept him out against Man City in the EFL Cup.

Potter will make alterations from Wednesday’s affair, with Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all set to come back in.

Chelsea could switch to a back four for this match, with Cesar Azpilicueta coming in at right-back, while Trevoh Chalobah could get the nod alongside Thiago Silva in the middle.

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Newcastle United’s possible starting lineup:

Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Joelinton, Wilson, AlmironChelsea’s

possible starting lineup:

Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, T Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic; Sterling, Havertz, Mount; Aubameyang

Location: Newcastle, England
Stadium: St James’ Park
Date: Saturday 12 November
Kick-off Time: 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT

Who will win today’s Premier League clash between Newcastle and Chelsea? Share your predictions with us in the comment box below.