Premier League 2025-2026: Newcastle United-Chelsea, the likely lineups
The Premier League weekend opens with a fascinating challenge-Newcastle-Chelsea, Saturday’s lunchtime advance, which comes just days after both teams won the Carabao Cup semifinals. The Magpies and Blues are potentially on a collision course toward the Wembley final, but before thinking about the future they will have to focus on the’last league engagement before Christmas, at a time when the standings demand immediate answers.
Newcastle comes to the challenge with a few more uncertainties. The defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland, a disappointing 1-0, has dampened enthusiasm and left Eddie Howe’s team in 12th position. Yet, at St. James’ Park the Bianconeri have built a fort in recent years: four consecutive victories against Chelsea at home represent a fact that cannot be ignored. The problem, if anything, is the long list of unavailable players, especially in defense. Livramento, formerly of the match, suffered a new stoppage and will not return until 2026, Hall is in doubt with a muscle problem, Trippier, Burn, Krafth and Botman are out of action, while Nick Pope remains in the balance for a possible return between the posts. Osula will be missing in attack, but Howe can smile about the return of Yoane Wissa, who scored his first goal in a Newcastle shirt this week and was not called up by the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
Chelsea, for its part, arrives in Newcastle with the goal of consolidating fourth place, defended thanks to last week’s victory over Everton. A success that broke a four-game winless streak and brought some serenity back to the’environment, even if early-season ambitions seem to have been scaled back. Enzo Maresca will have to deal with some heavy absences: Estevao is out with a muscle problem, while Colwill and Lavia remain in the pits. Delap and Essugo are also out, although the former is close to returning. After the total turnover in the Carabao Cup, the Italian coach will revert to the standard lineup, with Caicedo ready to regain his place after serving his disqualification.
Probable lineups
Newcastle (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon. All. Howe.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro. All. Maresca.
