Context:

Newcastle United and Chelsea are set to face off in a crucial match that could significantly impact their chances of finishing in the Premier League's top five and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. With both teams separated by goal difference and three games left in the season, a win is vital for either side. Chelsea recently reached the UEFA Conference League final, while Newcastle won the Carabao Cup earlier this year, but Champions League qualification remains a key goal for both. Newcastle faces injury concerns with several players, including Joelinton and Fabian Schar, potentially missing the match, while Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca plans to revert to his strongest lineup. The match will be broadcasted across various regions, making it accessible to a global audience eager to see how the teams perform under pressure.

Dive Deeper:

• Newcastle United and Chelsea clash in a pivotal Premier League match where only goal difference separates them, with Newcastle in fourth and Chelsea in fifth place, both vying for a top-five finish to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.

• Chelsea has recently reached the UEFA Conference League final and aims to finish the season with a trophy, while Newcastle has already secured the Carabao Cup earlier this year; however, both teams prioritize Champions League qualification for future ambitions.

• With only three games remaining in the league season, this match is crucial for both teams, as a victory could significantly boost their chances of achieving their season goals, adding pressure on the managers to make strategic lineup decisions.

• Newcastle is dealing with a series of injuries at a critical juncture in the season, with players like Joelinton and Fabian Schar potentially sidelined, which may impact their ability to field a full-strength squad against Chelsea.

• Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca plans to bring back key players such as Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, and Trevoh Chalobah into the starting lineup, and must decide on the positional roles of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernandez to optimize the team's performance.

• The match will be available for viewing across various platforms in major regions, ensuring fans worldwide can watch the high-stakes encounter, which is expected to be a decisive moment in the Premier League season.

• Joe Wright, the Senior Editor at Sporting News, provides expert coverage of this high-profile match, drawing on his extensive experience reporting on major football events like the UEFA Champions League finals and the World Cup.

• Newcastle United and Chelsea lock horns this weekend in a game that could have a huge impact on the race to finish in the Premier League top five.

• Only goal difference separates these two heading into this matchday, with Newcastle in fourth place in the table and Chelsea in fifth. A win for either side could be hugely important in the battle to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

• Chelsea reached the final of the UEFA Conference League this week and know they can end the season with silverware. Newcastle have already achieved that feat, having won the Carabao Cup back in March. Yet in terms of longer-term planning and ambitions, reaching the Champions League is arguably more important.

• With just three games left of the league season, this could be a decisive game. So, how will Eddie Howe and Enzo Maresca set up their teams?

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• Newcastle United vs. Chelsea lineups, predicted starting 11, team news Newcastle have suffered a handful of injuries at just the wrong time, and a few key first-team players could miss this game.

• Eddie Howe is concerned that Joelinton may miss the remainder of the season after receiving treatment for a knee injury in Barcelona. Joe Willock started the draw at Brighton last time out, but Howe hinted that Sean Longstaff could also be in contention to make the lineup this weekend.

• Fabian Schar is a doubt with a thigh issue, and Kieran Trippier will also face a late fitness test. Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, and former Chelsea left-back Lewis Hall are all likely to miss the final three matches of the campaign.

• Newcastle United predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Pope (GK) — Krafth, Botman, Burn, Livramento — Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock — Murphy, Isak, Gordon

• Injured: Hall (ankle/foot), Targett (hamstring), Lascelles (knee), Joelinton (knee), Schar (thigh, doubt), Trippier (thigh, doubt)
  Suspended: None

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• Maresca made a raft of changes for the second leg against Djurgarden on Thursday, and he will revert to his strongest starting lineup on Sunday.

• Robert Sanchez should return in goal, while Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah will return at centre-back. Moises Caicedo started at right-back in last week's win over champions Liverpool, and Maresca will have to decide whether to keep him in that role or move him to midfield in place of either Romeo Lavia or Enzo Fernandez.

• Further forward, the first-choice quartet of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson should all come back in.

• Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella — Lavia, Fernandez — Neto, Palmer, Madueke — Jackson

• Injured: Fofana (thigh), Kellyman (thigh), Nkunku (undisc.), Anselmino (thigh), Guiu (thigh, doubt)
  Suspended: Mudryk (failed doping test)

• Newcastle United vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

• Region	TV	Streaming
  USA	USA Network, Universo	Fubo, Universo NOW, NBC Sports site/app
  Canada	—	Fubo
  UK	TNT Sports 1	discovery+
  Australia	—	Optus Sport
  India	—	Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema