Newcastle, who have sealed a remarkable top-four finish, will travel to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea team that have endured one of their worst seasons in recent memory, on Sunday at 15:30 GMT.
Newcastle will look to end the season on a high after making their comeback to the Champions League in a brilliant season’s effort.
Chelsea will look to sign off in front of the home crowd with an upbeat performance to conclude an underwhelming season for the Blues, as they turn their attention to preparations for next season.
Key Highlights
Newcastle’s Champions League Comeback
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle charges have just sealed a major milestone in the comeback of the St. James’ Park club to the top end of the table, which means they will be in the Champions League next season.
Backed by ambitious owners, Newcastle’s next stop will be to retain their top-four status and maybe 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 squad to a bonafide top-six side in the Premier League, and one capable of competing in Europe.
The match at Chelsea will present a stark contrast between an ascendent Newcastle side that has just made it into the Champions League, and the descending Chelsea side that are mired in midtable mediocrity.
Chelsea Cannot Wait to See the Back of this Season
Frank Lampard, the third manager for Chelsea this season, encapsulates the kind of upheaval and season that the Blues have endured so far.
They started with Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel (now at Bayern Munich), shifted to former Brighton manager Graham Potter, and turned to club legend Lampard to steady the ship.
However, their season has gone from bad to worse, exacerbated by the massive influx of new faces at just about every level at Chelsea.
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With a bloated squad of around 31 odd players in the first team, managers have found it difficult going to get a tune out of this squad. Lampard has endured a sobering run of games and results since he was appointed caretaker manager.
For the Blues faithful, things cannot possibly get worse from here. With rumors of Mauricio Pochettino as the next manager at Stamford bridge swirling around, this last match against Newcastle will mark the end of Lampard’s caretaker tenure and usher in a new era with yet another manager.
Injury Report
Chelsea
Frank Lampard has several injury concerns heading into the last match against Newcastle.
Center-back Benoit Badiashile (unknown injury), defensive midfielder N’golo Kante (groin), and left-back Ben Chilwell (hamstring) are unavailable for selection.
Chelsea will also be without left-back Marc Cucurella (muscle), attacking midfielder Mason Mount (pelvis), right-back Reece James (hamstring), and center-forward Armando Broja (cruciate ligament rupture).
Newcastle
Eddie Howe will be without Matty Longstaff (knee), goalkeeper Nick Pope (hand injury), and attacking midfielder Joelinton (hamstring).
Also sidelined are central midfielder Joe Willock (hamstring), right midfielder Matt Ritchie (knee), center-back Jamaal Lascelles (calf), and right-back Emil Krafth (cruciate ligament rupture).
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. Pope; 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 through patient possession and playing from the back.
Newcastle will be compact in their approach and press higher up the pitch. They will also break with pace and look to break down the Chelsea defense.
Newcastle will win the match and end the season on a high.
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