Newcastle go toe-to-toe with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in West London.
Joe Willock’s second half strike, Newcastle’s first goal and first win against the Blues in five meetings was the decider in the pre-World Cup fixture last November.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Joe Willock of Newcastle United scores their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC at St. James Park on November 12, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe’s men would look to take after table neighbours, Manchester United who delivered a vicious 4-1 beating to The Blues during the week. Casemiro, Martial, Fernandes and Rashford were all on the scoresheet for the Red Devils against a side that could only manage a consolation goal via João Felíx.
The Magpies secured a place in next season’s Champions League campaign after claiming a point from a 0-0 draw to Leicester City at St. James Park on Monday, to move four clear of fifth-placed Liverpool who dropped two points in a 0-0 stalemate to Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday. Newcastle had previously hammered away at Brighton in a 4-1 win at home the previous Thursday.
Both teams already have their respective fates spelt out clearly with Chelsea set to finish in the second half of the table regardless of whatever stunt they manage to pull off against The Magpies.
The Blues with 43 points in 37 games, can only finish highest in 11th place, being a single point behind Crystal Palace(43), should they beat Newcastle and Palace doesn’t win Nottingham Forest. A draw would see things unchanged while a loss would see them drop to 14th should Wolves beat Arsenal and West Ham hammer Leicester by at least a three-goal margin.
Regardless, Chelsea are set to record their worst finish in the Premier League since 1993/94, 94/95 and 95/96 when they finished 14th and 11th twice respectively under Glenn Hoddle.
A win over Chelsea and United losing or drawing to Fulham would see The Magpies leapfrog the Red Devils into 3rd to match their 2002/03 campaign position, bettering it by four points(73 to 69)
Chelsea vs Newcastle key stats
- Since Frank Lampard’s admission as caretaker, The Blues have lost eight games, won once and drawn once.
- Chelsea are without a win at Stamford Bridge in seven fixtures. They’ve drawn thrice and lost four times.
- Chelsea have only found the back of the net in five of their past twelve games.
- Newcastle have lost just one of their past seven games, a 2-0 defeat at North London to Arsenal. They’ve won four and drawn two.
- Newcastle are unbeaten at London this season, winning four fixtures and drawing two away at London sides.
- In fourteen overall fixtures against London sides this season, Newcastle have lost only once(0-2 to Arsenal). They’ve won eight times and drawn five times.
- Newcastle recorded a 3-0 win over Chelsea the last time both teams met in a final fixture.
- Newcastle have won six of their last seven final EPL fixtures. Five of those six wins were recorded against London sides(vs Fulham twice, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham) and Burnley.
- In fourteen games managed against Chelsea(two as manager of Newcastle and twelve as manager of Bournemouth), Eddie Howe has won five, drawn one and lost eight times.
- Joe Willock’s goal against Chelsea last November is the only goal The Magpies have scored against Sunday’s opponents in the past five games.
- In eight trips to the Stamford Bridge, Eddie Howe has won thrice and lost five times.
- In six games managed against Newcastle(three as Everton and Chelsea manager), Frank Lampard has won three and lost three.
- Lampard has faced Newcastle on home soil twice(at both Chelsea and Everton). He won both games.
- Chelsea have not been defeated by Newcastle at the Stamford Bridge since losing 2-0 in the Premier League on May 2, 2012. They’re on a 10-game winning streak against the Magpies on home soil.
- Chelsea have won four of their past five meetings with Newcastle, seven of their past nine and eleven of their past fifteen.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in ten of their past eleven final EPL fixtures. The last time they recorded defeat was a 3-0 loss to Newcastle in the 2017/18 season.
Chelsea vs Newcastle H2H and form:
Games played: 172
Chelsea: 78 wins
Newcastle: 55 wins
Games drawn: 39
Past five meetings:
Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea (21-11-2020)
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle (15-02-2021)
Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea (30-10-2021)
Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle (13-03-2022)
Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea (12-11-2022)
Newcastle: LLLLW
Chelsea: WWWWL
Past five Premier League fixtures:
Chelsea:
(A) 1-3 Arsenal
(A) 3-1 Bournemouth
(H) 2-2 Nottingham Forest
(A) 0-1 Manchester City
(A) 1-4 Manchester United
Form: LWDLL
Newcastle:
(H) 3-1 Southampton
(H) 0-2 Arsenal
(A) 2-2 Leeds United
(H) 4-1 Brighton
(H) 0-0 Leicester City
Form: WLDWD
Chelsea: 12th in the Premier League, 43 points, 11-10-16
Newcastle: 4th in the Premier League, 70 points, 19-13-5.
Chelsea vs Newcastle injuries:
Armando Broja, Mason Mount, Cucurella, Reece James, Chilwell, Kovacic, Kante remain sidelined for The Blues as they approach season conclusion.
Benoit Badiashile sustained a hamstring injury in a training session ahead of the match against Manchester City. He is out for ‘an extended period’, has missed games against both Manchester sides and is also ruled out of the fixture against Newcastle.
Raheem Sterling’s hamstring injury re-emerged in the 1-0 loss to City on Sunday and was taken off. The winger missed the mid-week trip to the Old Trafford and is not in Lampard’s plans for Sunday evening.
Newcastle:
Emil Krafth, Jamal Lascelles and Matt Richie remain on the injury list for The Magpies.
Nick Pope:
The former Burnley goalkeeper underwent surgery to his fingers after the 0-0 draw with Leicester City on Monday and is not expected to be between the sticks at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday with Martin Dubvraka set to take his place.
Joelinton:
Took a knock in the 4-1 home win over Brighton and was withdrawn from the squad ahead of Newcastle’s goalless draw with Leicester City.
Joe Willock:
Picked up a hamstring blow in the win over Brighton at the James Park and was substituted in the 61st minute. Missed the tie against Leicester and out of the picture for the match against Chelsea.
Javier Manquillo:
Got only a minute of game time against Brighton and had to come off with a knock. Missed Leicester and would also sit out on the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Newcastle possible line-ups:
Chelsea:
4-3-3: Kepa, Hall, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Mudryk, Felix, Havertz.
Newcastle:
4-3-3: Dubravka, Burn, Botman, Schär, Trippier, Anderson, Guimaráes, Longstaff, Isak, Almirón, Wilson.