Separated by one place in the Premier League table, Champions League-chasing Newcastle United host Chelsea in Sunday’s gameweek 36 lunchtime contest at St James’ Park, seeking to land a significant blow on the Blues’ ambition to return to Europe’s premier club competition after a two-season absence.
The visitors enter their penultimate away fixture on a three-match winning streak in the top flight and five in all competitions, while the Magpies chase a sixth consecutive league victory on Tyneside, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
© Imago
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Out: Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Hall (foot), Joelinton (knee), Matt Targett (thigh)
Doubtful: Fabian Schar (knock)
Sports Mole’s predicted XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
CHELSEA
Out: Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Aaron Anselmino (hamstring), Omari Kellyman (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (knock), Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended)
Doubtful: Marc Guiu (hamstring)
Sports Mole’s predicted XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.