Newcastle vs Chelsea is a matchup that will shape what comes next for both sides. Capable of the best as well as the worst, both teams will be looking to rebalance their results in order to reach their respective objectives.
Newcastle: a team under pressure and lacking clarity
Six wins, four draws, six losses: that is Newcastle’s record in the 2025–2026 season so far. Capable of beating Manchester City, Newcastle are also able to stumble badly, as shown last weekend against Sunderland, when the Magpies simply failed to show up. After a transfer window marked by significant movement, Newcastle appear to be struggling to digest the changes. Between injuries—most notably to Wissa, who was expected to provide an attacking option—and difficult adaptations such as Elanga’s or Jacob Ramsey’s, only Malick Thiaw has truly delivered satisfaction. Newcastle are a side whose form varies greatly between home and away matches. Beaten four times on the road, they look more convincing at St James’ Park, but even there they have already lost twice against top contenders (Liverpool and Arsenal). Known for explosive starts, Newcastle often fade late in games, a sign of a team that struggles physically toward the end.
Sitting 14th in the table, Newcastle must win to avoid seeing a Champions League rival pull further away.
X-factors
Sandro Tonali :
the true engine of the Magpies, Sandro Tonali is the connective tissue of this team. Joelinton’s repeated absences have given him greater freedom on the pitch. As strong in ball recovery as he is precise in his passing, Tonali remains influential over 90 minutes, and his relentless pressing helps Newcastle cope with the intensity of a midfield like Chelsea’s, where the physical presence of Caicedo and James sets the tone. Newcastle will be facing a physical and resilient opponent.
Cole Palmer : A scorer against Everton and clearly sharp, Cole Palmer is fully back and his influence is already evident. Capable of scoring from seemingly harmless situations, his reading of the game makes him one of the key figures in this match. He can exploit the space left behind by a team that likes to commit bodies forward. His passing quality will be crucial in supplying pace merchants such as Neto and Garnacho, both specialists in runs and off-the-ball movement. It would not be surprising to see the Portuguese winger occupy that role again, as he did against Barcelona.
