After assuring their place in the UEFA Conference League final on Thursday night, fifth-place Chelsea must refocus on their pursuit of a Champions League berth in Sunday’s tricky trip to fourth-place Newcastle.
Both teams would qualify if they could maintain their current league status. Newcastle holds the edge between the sides based on more goals scored, however only four points separate third from seventh place heading into the third-to-last Premier League matchday.
Chelsea has a tough stretch ahead, with their home finale against UEFA Europa League finalist Manchester United to follow Sunday’s clash. They close the season at sixth-place Nottingham Forest.
“It’s a big one, it’s a huge one,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said of facing Newcastle. “Manchester United will be a big one. Nottingham Forest will be a big one. Each of them will be big games, and on Sunday, it’s the chance to start in the right way. We are on a good run, in a good mood, and hopefully we can play a good game and win.”
The Blues (18-8-9, 63 points) have won five straight in all competitions. That included a 3-1 home victory over new league champions Liverpool last Sunday, and a 1-0 Leg 2 win in their Conference League semifinal against Djurgarden of Sweden on Thursday.
Cole Palmer snapped an 18-match scoreless run in all competitions against Liverpool with his 15th league goal, and was afforded a night off Thursday with the Blues hosting a sizable aggregate lead.
Newcastle (19-10-6, 63 points) defeated Chelsea in their most recent meeting, a 2-0 fourth-round home win in the League Cup en route to their first-ever title in the competition and first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
But the Blues earned a 2-1 win in their previous league clash in London, when both teams played closer to their best available squads. And that’s what Magpies boss Eddie Howe expects Sunday, downplaying the idea that the quick turnaround would leave Chelsea at a disadvantage.
“We expect them to revert to near their last Premier League side,” Howe said of Maresca’s potential lineup. “…They have a really deep squad with a lot of quality players but I think they’ve found a consistency in their Premier League selection, recently.”
Alexander Isak’s late penalty for his team-leading 23rd league goal helped Newcastle rescue a 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend. Following Sunday’s clash, the Magpies close their campaign away at Arsenal and then home to Everton.
–Field Level Media
