Newcastle vs Chelsea

[ZAPHOD2319 4,862]

Pre/Post Match Discussion, Live Chat & Analysis

Saturday

Dec 20th, 2025
St James Park
!2;30 PM UK

[Special Juan 28,369]

They beat Fulham tonight, they have bounced after getting beat by Sunderland

Lets see what we have got Saturday

[Stats 7,195]

We playing Newcastle at a good time. They have a bit of an injury crisis. Burn, Trippier, Krath, Botman, Lascelles all injured. Hall was not in the squad tonight due to a minor hamstring injury, so Miley played at RB. Livramento went off injured late in second half and had a rookie coming on at LB and Howe just said now that it doesn't look good when a player goes down like that. So assuming he is out weekend. We also have a day's extra rest than they do. 

That is most of their backline injured. Even with Estevao injured, we have players who can hurt them. Just need to not capitulate like we have done in recent seasons at SJP and keep firm against the hostile crowd. Keep 11 on the pitch and hopefully we can pick up a vital points on Saturday. Like I say, a good time to be playing them.

[Special Juan 28,369]

Delap and Essugo are expected to be ready for Villa on the 27th

[Vesper 30,589]

Enzo Maresca delivers Chelsea team news ahead of Newcastle

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/enzo-maresca-delivers-Chelsea-team-news-ahead-of-newcastle

Enzo Maresca has confirmed we have no fresh injury concerns to contend with ahead of tomorrow's clash with Newcastle United, and also provided a positive update on Liam Delap and Estevao Willian.

We head to Tyneside for a Saturday lunchtime meeting with Eddie Howe’s Magpies, looking for three more points in the Premier League following our victory over Everton last time out in the league. We also progressed to the last-four of the Carabao Cup in midweek, following success against Cardiff City.

Our head coach rotated his squad for that League Cup encounter and the Italian confirmed at his pre-match press conference that those players that were left out against the Bluebirds – including Cole Palmer – are all fine to feature this weekend.

Maresca also provided an update on Delap and Estevao, with the pair closing in on a return to action – although that won’t be at St James’ Park tomorrow.

‘We are good,’ Maresca said of his squad’s fitness levels ahead of the trip to the North-East.

We probably have Liam Delap and Estevao Willian back for the game against Aston Villa [on 27 December), which is good news. But Romeo (Lavia) is still out, Dario Essugo is still out and Levi (Colwill) is still out.

‘‘With Liam, we said since he suffered the injury (shoulder) that we didn’t know exactly for how long he would be out, but he is progressing very well.’

After a long trip to Wales in midweek, the Blues face another sizeable away venture when we head to the north east of the country to face Newcastle.

The Magpies currently sit in 12th position in the Premier League table, although just six points behind the Blues in fourth, and Maresca is under no illusions that a side containing players such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton will offer a stern test this weekend.

‘For me, playing at Newcastle is always difficult. Night or day, they are a very good team,’ Maresca stated of our opponents.

‘Their manager is fantastic and has done a superb job for many years. They have a very strong side, especially in midfield.

‘Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, [Lewis] Miley also, they are all fantastic players, all international players and they complete each other.

‘They are physically strong and very good on the ball. It's difficult for any team to face them.’