With Newcastle United’s visit on Sunday, Chelsea’s miserable Premier League season finally comes to an end. The Blues will complete the season with their lowest points total in Premier League history, and depending on other events on the final day, they could finish 14th in the standings. In the ten games he has managed, Frank Lampard has only secured one victory.
To cap off a fantastic season, Newcastle can play freely in west London knowing that they will participate in the Champions League. They will want to offer their fans one last wonderful afternoon.
There is no escaping the reality that the Blues have had a terrible season. They have only managed to win 12, tie 10, and lose 16 league games for a total of 43 points, which is only good for 12th place in the standings going into the final round of games in England’s premier division
If other results go against them, Chelsea might lose here and fall as low as 14th, which would add insult to injury. Chelsea could finish above Crystal Palace in 11th place.
Planning for the upcoming season began a long time ago since Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over as head coach and succeed interim boss Lampard, who has lost eight of his ten games since rejoining the team when Graham Potter left.
The fans at Stamford Bridge won’t be able to watch any European football next season, but a victory on Sunday would at least give them something to cheer about, as the Blues haven’t lost at home to Newcastle in the Premier League since May 2012.
Newcastle’s participation in the Champions League for the following season was assured when they and Leicester City on Monday night played to a scoreless draw.
Eddie Howe’s team needs to win on Sunday and hope that Man United loses points at home to Fulham in order to move into a top-three spot in the Premier League. With 70 points from 37 games, Eddie Howe’s team now sits fourth, two points behind third-placed Man United.
Newcastle hasn’t participated in the Champions League group stage since 2003, thus it will be interesting to watch what deals are made this summer since the club will be able to draw players of a higher class thanks to their participation in the continent’s premier competition.
Despite having a fantastic season, Howe’s club has only won one of its past four league games, and on May 13, Leeds United held them to a 2-2 tie in their most recent road game.
Newcastle defeated Chelsea 1-0 at St James’ Park in December, and they will aim to win their first league series victory over the London club since the 1986–87 season. However, the Magpies have only triumphed on one of their previous 27 Premier League excursions to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Premier League form: LLWDLL
Newcastle United Premier League form: WWLDWD
When and Where?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday 28 May, 2023
Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
Referee: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Peter Bankes
Team news
On Sunday afternoon, Benoit Badiashile, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, N’Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, and Marcus Bettinelli will still be unavailable for Chelsea.
Reece James will once more be left out as he experienced a setback in his recovery from a thigh issue. Mason Mount, who is highly linked to a summer transfer, has a chance to make the team as he has resumed training following stomach surgery.
Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, and Felix are likely to replace players in Lampard’s starting lineup who played at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Nick Pope, Emil Krafth, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie, Joelinton, and Joe Willock are among the Newcastle players that are out injured.
Pope’s finger surgery-related absence will allow Martin Dubravka to start in goal, and Elliot Anderson might take Willock’s spot in the midfield.
There won’t be many surprises in the Newcastle side due to the injury issue, as Jacob Murphy is likely to play alongside Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak in the final third of the pitch, and the back four should remain the same as it has for the majority of the season.
Match Analysis
Despite Edouard Mendy being able to be selected again, Kepa is likely to keep his starting position between the goalposts. Trevoh Chalobah is anticipated to make way for the veteran Brazilian center-back Thiago Silva, who may be in line to return to the starting lineup in the back.
Frank Lampard is anticipated to give Ruben Loftus-Cheek a start in Chelsea’s midfield so that he can provide more creativity to the attack. Lewis Hall is almost certain to start after his performance against Manchester United. Noni Madueke’s potential benching at the top position on the pitch would allow Joao Felix to reclaim his spot in the front line on the roster.
On the other hand, Newcastle won’t be looking to experiment much with their lineup. Wilson is expected to play central along with Isak on the left. Isak’s role has been that of a provider in the last few games that Newcastle has played this season. Their Defense looks just alright but Pope will be missing out this game due to injury.
Players to watch out for
Chelsea: Lewis Hall
In the humiliating loss against Manchester United, Lewis Hall stood out for Chelsea, while Christian Pulisic and Joao Felix demonstrated some promise as substitutes. Lewis Hall’s ability to put some juicy crosses in the box was the only highlight when Chelsea faced Manchester United Last week. HE would be looking to end the season on a high note.
Newcastle: Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, two of Newcastle’s forwards, are soaring, but Eddie Howe has maintained stability throughout the entire team. Sven Botman has been outstanding at centre back, while Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes have also received Best XI nods. Wilson although didn’t appear on the score sheet last week when they faced Leicester, he accumulated the most chances in the game. As explosive as he always is, Wilson is the main threat Chelsea need to look out for.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Hall; Gallagher, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Felix, Madueke
Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Murphy, Wilson, Isak