Chelsea face Newcastle in their final Premier League game of what has been a disappointing season. The Blues will have to beat the Magpies at St. James’ Park and hope Brighton get a victory at Anfield in order for Chelsea to move above them into 4th.
Team News
David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu are still sidelined through injury.
Antonio Conte will look to restore Hazard, Giroud, Bakayoko, Moses and Cahill for this encounter. Thibaut Courtois is a doubt through injury.
Newcastle will be without Ciaran Clark and Christian Atsu through injury.
Islam Slimani is unavailable through suspension while Kenedy is ineligible against his parent club.
Probable Newcastle XI (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie, Perez, Murphy; Gayle.
Probable Chelsea XI (3-5-2): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard, Giroud.
Key Battles
Ayoze Perez has been of good form of late so it’ll be imperative for N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko to keep an eye out for him in between the lines.
Olivier Giroud is in a similarly good run of form but will be up against the physically imposing defensive partnership of Lejeune and Lascelles who will provide a stern test in front of their own goal.
With both Newcastle wingers susceptible defensively, Chelsea wing-backs could be heavily involved in both attack and defence.
Key Stats
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 6 Premier League League games, winning 4.
The Blues haven’t won at St. James’ park since 2011 when goals from Drogba, Sturridge and Kalou saw Chelsea run out comfortable 3-0 winners.
Newcastle have beaten Chelsea on 3 of their last 4 league meetings at St. James’ Park.
