Newcastle United host Chelsea in a huge game in the race for Champions League qualification this weekend.
The two sides sit level on 63 points in fourth and fifth place respectively heading into Sunday’s fixture at St James’ Park.
The Premier League’s top five sides are now guaranteed a place in Europe’s premier competition next season along with the Europa League winners – which will be Tottenham or Manchester United.
Seven points separate second place Arsenal and seventh place Aston Villa with three games left.
Newcastle remain without Lewis Hall, Matt Targett and captain Jamaal Lascelles with the only notable return that of assistant manager Jason Tindall, who will be back by Eddie Howe’s side after serving a one-match suspension against Brighton last time out.
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Joelinton picked up a knee injury at the end of April, briefly returning to Brazil with Howe initially suggesting his season could be over.
But after a trip to Barcelona for further treatment this week, the Newcastle boss was slightly more optimistic he could be involved in the final three games of the season.
Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier meanwhile were both forced off against Brighton but the duo are ‘doing pretty good’ ahead of the visit of the Blues.
Chelsea meanwhile booked their place in the Europa Conference League final, sealing a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgarden on Thursday.
With the tie sown up, Enzo Maresca was able to rest a host of players with Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson given the night off.
Chistopher Nkunku is expected to remain on the sidelines having missed his side’s last two games with Wesley Fofana out for the season.
Predicted Newcastle XI to face Chelsea
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Wollock, Murphy, Isak, Barnes
Predicted Chelsea XI to face Newcastle
Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson
Where to watch Newcastle vs Chelsea? Kick-off time and TV channel
Newcastle vs Chelsea kicks off at 12pm on Sunday 11 May.
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The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and available to stream through the Discovery+ app.
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