Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Match Preview
A massive pre-Christmas clash takes place at St. James’ Park on Sunday, 21 December 2025. Newcastle United, currently 12th, are enduring a defensive injury crisis but enter the match buoyed by a League Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham. Chelsea, sitting 4th with 28 points, seem to have turned a corner with back-to-back wins against Everton and Cardiff after a brief slump. With Newcastle winning the last two meetings at home, the Blues face a daunting test of their Top 4 credentials against a depleted but raucous Geordie side.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Match Info
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 17)
- Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle (Capacity: 52,305)
- Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025
- Kickoff: 14:00 GMT | 15:00 CET | 09:00 ET
- Referee: Andy Madley (ENG)
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Match Stakes
Newcastle United (12th — 22 pts):
- Win → Moves to 25 pts; could jump into the top half (8th-9th)
- Draw → Maintains the gap to the bottom half but disappointing at home
- Loss → Leaves them stuck in mid-table obscurity; defensive frailty exposed
Chelsea (4th — 28 pts):
- Win → Moves to 31 pts; solidifies Champions League spot heading into Christmas
- Draw → Decent result at a tough ground, but allows rivals (Arsenal/Spurs) to close in
- Loss → Momentum check; risks dropping out of the Top 4 if other results go against them
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Team News
Newcastle United:
- Defensive Crisis: Botman, Burn, Trippier, and Krafth are all OUT.
- Osula W. — Out (Ankle Injury)
- Pope N. — Questionable (Muscle Injury – Dubravka on standby)
- Livramento V. — Questionable (Late fitness test)
Chelsea:
- Estêvão — Out (Muscle Injury – New absentee)
- Colwill L. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Lavia R. — Out (Thigh Injury)
- Mudryk M. — Out (Suspended)
- Delap L. — Out (Shoulder Injury)
- Cole Palmer — Not listed in injury report; expected to return to the squad.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Newcastle United
- 18/12 — 2–1 vs Fulham (EFL Cup)
- 14/12 — 0–1 vs Sunderland (Premier League)
- 11/12 — 2–2 vs Bayer Leverkusen (UCL)
- 06/12 — 2–1 vs Burnley (Premier League)
- 03/12 — 2–2 vs Tottenham (Premier League)
Chelsea
- 17/12 — 3–1 vs Cardiff (EFL Cup)
- 13/12 — 2–0 vs Everton (Premier League)
- 10/12 — 1–2 vs Atalanta (UCL)
- 06/12 — 0–0 vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
- 04/12 — 1–3 vs Leeds (Premier League)
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 11/05/2025 — Newcastle 2–0 Chelsea (PL)
- 31/10/2024 — Newcastle 2–0 Chelsea (EFL Cup)
- 27/10/2024 — Chelsea 2–1 Newcastle (PL)
- 12/03/2024 — Chelsea 3–2 Newcastle (PL)
- 20/12/2023 — Chelsea 1–1 Newcastle (EFL Cup – Chelsea won on pens)
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Newcastle United (4-3-3)
Dubravka; Livramento (if fit), Schar, Kelly, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Impact Bench
Newcastle United: Almiron (Energy), Willock (Transition threat), Miley (Control)
Chelsea: Nkunku (Goal threat), Felix (Creativity), Veiga (Versatility)
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Tactical Analysis
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe has a nightmare selection at the back. Without Burn and Botman, Newcastle lack height and leadership in central defense. They will rely heavily on the midfield trio of Tonali, Bruno, and Joelinton to screen the backline. Expect them to bypass midfield quickly, using Gordon and Isak to attack the spaces behind Chelsea’s full-backs.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca will look to exploit Newcastle’s makeshift defense. With Cole Palmer likely returning, Chelsea regain their conductor. They will target the aerial weakness of Newcastle’s backline (without Burn) through set-pieces. Chelsea’s key will be managing the atmosphere; if they concede early, St. James’ Park will become a cauldron.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Key Battles
- Isak vs Fofana — elite movement vs recovery pace
- Guimaraes vs Caicedo — battle for midfield dominance
- Gordon vs Gusto — pace mismatch on the flank
- Palmer vs Tonali — finding space in the “hole”
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Spotlight Players
Newcastle United — Alexander Isak
The Swede loves big games. With Chelsea missing Colwill and Newcastle missing their defensive spine, this game could turn into a shootout. Isak’s finishing will decide if the Magpies get anything.
Chelsea — Cole Palmer
After missing the last game, his return is massive. He is the link between midfield and attack. If Newcastle give him time on the ball, he will pick apart their depleted defense.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Prediction
Newcastle United 2–2 Chelsea
Both defenses are compromised by injury (Newcastle especially). Newcastle are tough to beat at home and have a psychological edge from recent H2H wins, but Chelsea’s attack is finding form again. Expect goals, chaos, and a shared point in a thriller.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — YES (High Probability)
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely
- Alexander Isak to Score — Value Bet
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League
- USA: USA Network / NBC Sports
- International: Peacock, Optus Sport (Aus), DAZN (Can/Esp)
Newcastle United vs Chelsea — FAQs
Q: When is the Newcastle vs Chelsea match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025, at 14:00 GMT.
Q: Is Cole Palmer playing?
A: He is not listed on the injury report for this match, implying he is available for selection.
Q: Who is in goal for Newcastle?
A: Nick Pope is questionable with a muscle injury. If he fails a fitness test, Martin Dubravka will start.
Q: What is the recent H2H record at St. James’ Park?
A: Newcastle have won the last two meetings at home against Chelsea (2–0 in May 2025 and 2–0 in Oct 2024).
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