EPL: Newcastle v Chelsea preview

Newcastle v Chelsea preview

Chelsea are still in the race for the top four as they travel to Newcastle Utd.

The Blues missed the chance to go level on points with Liverpool - currently occupying fourth spot - when they drew 1-1 with Huddersfield on Wednesday, and will be aiming for maximum points at St James' Park.

But they will need to rely on Brighton beating Liverpool at Anfield, as the Reds have a far superior goal difference, with a draw or win for Jurgen Klopp's side guaranteeing them fourth place over Chelsea.

 

Asked whether Champions League qualification is more important to him than winning the FA Cup, Conte said: "In this moment we have to try to reach both targets.

"It's not easy because the situation for a place in the Champions League is not in our hands, but we have to try to get three points against Newcastle and then to hope for something positive for us. Right now we must be focused on the league to try to finish in the best possible way."

For Newcastle, they could slip down to as low as 15th in the table from their current position of tenth if they suffer a defeat and other teams around them pick up points.

But the Magpies are unbeaten in their last four home Premier League games against Chelsea, scoring at least twice in each match (W3 D1).

 

Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit to feature for Chelsea after missing Wednesday's game with a back injury.

Olivier Giroud and forward Eden Hazard are among those likely to be restored to the starting line-up, but David Luiz (knee) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) are out.

Rafa Benitez will be without loan signings Kenedy and Islam Slimani for the game. Kenedy is ineligible to face his parent club and Slimani has returned to Leicester after being suspended for the final three games of the campaign.