This weekend's highly anticipated Chelsea vs Newcastle match at St James' Park will have a pivotal role to play in the Premier League top five struggle and Champions League qualification battle.
Chelsea travel to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, with the two sides level on 63 points and three games remaining in the season. Each team winning would be a decisive victory as they battle for a top-four position.
Top 7 Premier League Table – Matchweek 35
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Arsenal | 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 64 | 31 | 33 | 67 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 35 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 64 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 45 | 21 | 63 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 63 |
| 6 | Nottingham Forest | 35 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 42 | 12 | 61 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 60 |
Chelsea's Momentum Can't Be Ignored
Blues are flying, with five victories consecutively across all the competitions. Three back-to-back Premier League triumphs and an interim victory in Swedish side Djurgarden during midweek action are just enough for them to feature in the UEFA Conference League Final.
Manager Enzo Maresca rested 10 players for the European game, giving them a break before this pivotal league match. Chelsea's Champions League prospects are now squarely in their own hands with impending games against Newcastle, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest.
It was only a few weeks ago that Opta's supercomputer claimed Chelsea would be denied entry to the top four. Fast-forward a little, and today they are one of the Premier League's most in-form sides.
Eddie Howe: "Team Consistency Has Made a Big Difference"
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe spoke about Chelsea's recent transformation and what astonished him most.
"We expect Chelsea to return to their Premier League side that beat Liverpool — a highly dominant performance. They have some forwards who are coming into form at the right time, so it should be a very tight game," Howe told Newcastle's official website.
He added further:
“We’ve played them twice already this season, and the game at Stamford Bridge was one of the toughest we’ve faced. Their consistency in team selection lately has really stood out.”
⚽ Why This Match Matters
- Champions League qualification is on the line.
- Both teams are level on points (63) and form could be the deciding factor.
- Chelsea’s attacking depth and renewed cohesion under Maresca are making headlines.
- Newcastle United's home turf might prove crucial for this fiercely contested game.
Final Thoughts
Since Chelsea and Newcastle United are level on the league table, this Saturday's game is more than a battle—it's a potential decider for Champions League football next year. Chelsea's newfound solidity and attacking prowess, as Eddie Howe said, are massive threats, but St James' Park has seen plenty of twists this season.
Tune in to have full match commentary and reaction post-match.
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