Newcastle United are ready for the Match-Day 17 of the premier league as they welcome as they host Chelsea at the Saint James’ Park on Saturday lunch-time kick-off, Softfootball reports.
The Magpies suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the derby last week but bounced back in midweek as they eliminated Fulham from the Carabao Cup to reach the semi-final of the competition while Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are prepared for their final away game for 2025 in the premier league and showed it via their official X handle. They posted:
Our final away day of 2025. 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/sLm9AxqWht
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 18, 2025Chelsea beat Cardiff 3-1 to qualify for the semi-final of the Carabao Cup in midweek and will hope to continue their winning run against Newcastle United.
Head-to-Head
Chelsea and Newcastle United have met 179 times and the Blues have been victorious 81 times with the Magpies emerging winners on 58 occasions while they have drawn 40 times.
Chelsea’s most recent victory over Newcastle was in October 2024, where Cole Palmer scored the winner in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge success. However, Newcastle avenged that loss days later, defeating Enzo Maresca’s team 2-0 to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Star Player
Lewis Miley has grown into a key figure in the Newcastle midfield and has established himself as a regular in the first team since he came through the academy. He is a player that loves to join the attack and get goals and it was no surprise when he got the late winner against Fulham in midweek against Fulham.
Alejandro Garnacho came from the bench to score twice against Cardiff in Chelsea’s 3-1 win during the Carabao Cup and manager Enzo Maresca will be looking to start him in the crucial match against the Magpies on Saturday.
Team News
Tino Livramento joins Dan Burn (rib), Nick Pope (groin), Kieran Trippier (hamstring), Sven Botman (back), William Osula (ankle) and Emil Krafth (knee) in the treatment room for Newcastle United.
Lewis Hall missed the win over Fulham win with a minor hamstring problem, but may return against his former side Chelsea this weekend.
Lewis Miley may be tasked with filling in a right-back as Sandro Tonali and Joelinton push to earn a recall in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Yoane Wissa, who scored his first goal for Newcastle United in midweek may start from the bench while Nick Woltemade is expected to start, while Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are both in contention to return on the flanks.
For Chelsea, Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian is not available due to a muscle injury, joining Liam Delap (shoulder), Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh) and Dario Essugo (thigh) on the sidelines, while Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) also remains unavailable.
After making 11 changes for the midweek win at Cardiff, Maresca is set to revert to his strongest side against Newcastle, with star playmaker Cole Palmer likely to return in his favoured No.10 role after being rested in midweek, and Joao Pedro is set to lead the line.
Alejandro Garnacho may start alongside Pedro Neto while Moises Caicedo is now available to start in the Premier League after serving a three-match ban and will be paired with Enzo Fernandez in the deep-lying midfield role, while Reece James and Wesley Fofana are both in contention to feature in a four-man defence with Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella.
Newcastle United probable XI
Ramsdale; Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Chelsea probable XI
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Softfootball prediction
Home advantage may count for Newcastle United when they face Chelsea at Saint James’ Park. It will be a difficult match for both sides but the Magpies might just edge it. Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea.
