St. James’ Park prepares for a frosty December evening clash that feels pivotal for two sides on very different trajectories. The hosts, reeling from a difficult spell that has seen them slide to 12th, are desperate to arrest a slump marked by poor away performances and a fragile mentality. Conversely, the visitors arrive in the North East buoyed by back-to-back victories in cup and league action, sitting comfortably in 4th place.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Match Details at a Glance
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | Newcastle United vs Chelsea |
| Venue | St. James’ Park |
| Date | December 20, 2025 |
| Time | 6:30 PM (BDT) / 6:00 PM (INR) |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Click here to watch the Newcastle United vs Chelsea live on Sports Live Hub (SLH) |
Injury News and Suspensions
Newcastle United
The Magpies are walking wounded at the moment, which explains much of their recent inconsistency. The defensive unit has been decimated, with Sven Botman ruled out until late December due to a back injury, and Daniel Burn nursing a rib issue that likely keeps him out until the end of the month. Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee) are also sidelined until the New Year, leaving the fullback areas thin. Goalkeeper Nick Pope is carrying a knock and remains doubtful, while William Osula is out with an ankle problem.
Chelsea
The visitors aren’t unscathed either, navigating their own significant fitness issues. Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury not expected to heal until April 2026. Midfield options are limited with Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo both out until January with thigh issues. In attack, Liam Delap (shoulder) and Estevao (muscle) are sidelined until late December. Furthermore, Mykhaylo Mudryk misses out due to suspension, forcing Maresca to shuffle his wide options.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Records
| Matches Played | 179 |
| Newcastle United Won | 58 |
| Chelsea Won | 81 |
| Tied | 40 |
| First-ever Fixture | September 14, 1907 |
| Most-recent Fixture | May 11, 2025 |
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Form Guide
Newcastle United
It has been a grim few weeks for the Toon Army. Currently sitting 12th, the side looks bereft of the confidence that once made St. James’ Park a fortress. Under Eddie Howe, the intent remains, high pressing and quick transitions,but the execution has faltered. The primary issue is a leaky defense that struggles to hold onto leads, often conceding late goals that turn wins into draws or defeats.
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca seems to have weathered the early storms and has his squad playing with a clear identity. Sitting 4th in the standings, the Blues have found a rhythm, utilizing a structured possession game to dominate territory. Their recent form shows a team that is learning to break down low blocks, creating central overloads that free up attackers like Joao Pedro and Neto.
Also read:- Sunderland vs Newcastle United Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction
Key Battles
Anthony Gordon vs Reece James
One of the most electrifying duels on the pitch will likely take place on Newcastle’s left flank. Anthony Gordon remains the heartbeat of this Newcastle side; his relentless energy and ability to carry the ball long distances are vital for Howe’s transition tactics.
Facing him is the experienced Reece James. While defensively robust, James is integral to Maresca’s system, often drifting centrally to act as an auxiliary midfielder or overlapping to provide width. His challenge will be balancing his attacking responsibilities with the need to shackle Gordon.
Bruno Guimaraes vs Enzo Fernández
The battle for supremacy in the engine room will dictate the flow of the game. Bruno Guimaraes is the combative soul of the Magpies. He is tasked with breaking up play, winning second balls, and launching attacks with precision passing. In a game where the hosts might see less of the ball, his physical presence and ability to resist the press will be crucial in alleviating pressure on a fragile defense.
On the other side, Enzo Fernández is the metronome for the Blues. In Maresca’s possession-heavy setup, everything goes through the Argentine. His vision and distribution allow the Londoners to switch play and stretch defenses. If Fernández is allowed time on the ball to dictate the tempo, he will pick the home side apart.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Tactical Outlook
Eddie Howe is expected to stick to his principles despite the poor form. We should see a high-energy approach, with the hosts trying to disrupt the Blues’ build-up play right from the goalkeeper. The danger for the Tyneside club is the space they leave behind their defensive line. With Burn and Botman out, the makeshift center-back pairing of Schär and Thiaw will need to be perfect in their positioning.
Enzo Maresca’s side will look to control the chaos. The plan will be to invite the Newcastle press, baiting them forward before playing through the lines to exploit the spaces vacated. The inclusion of Gusto and Cucurella suggests a desire to invert fullbacks to create a box midfield, overloading the central areas against Guimaraes and Willock. However, with Sanchez in goal, there is always a heart-in-mouth moment when playing out from the back.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Possible Playing Squad
Newcastle United XI:
Ramsdale (GK), Livramento, Schär, Thiaw, Burn, Guimaraes, Willock, Ramsey, Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade
Chelsea XI:
Sánchez (GK), James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Fernández, Gusto, Palmer, Neto, Garnacho, Joao Pedro
Newcastle United vs Chelsea Match Prediction
This has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, largely due to the defensive deficiencies on both sides. Newcastle United have the advantage of the St. James’ Park crowd, which can often bridge the gap in quality or form. However, their injury list is simply too debilitating to ignore, especially in the defensive sector. I expect the Magpies to score, Chelsea give up chances, but the visitors’ quality in the final third should see them edge it.
Score Prediction
Newcastle United 1–3 Chelsea; The Blues’ superior firepower and form should overwhelm a depleted Magpies defense, despite a spirited effort from the hosts.
Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.
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