(Football news) In-form Newcastle United will host Chelsea at St. James’ Park on Saturday, hoping to consolidate their place in the top four. The Blues on the other hand will look to bounce back from two successive Premier League defeats and have had a four game winless run, dropping down to seventh in the table. Newcastle are currently third, picking up 27 points from 14 matches in what has been a very impressive season for the Magpies. Eddie Howe’s side are one point ahead of fourth place Tottenham Hotspur and four points ahead of fifth place Manchester United but the Red Devils have a game in hand.

While talk of potential Champions League football might be too premature for Newcastle, the Magpies have won each of their last five matches in all competitions, including their last four in the league, scoring eight times in their recent victories over Aston Villa and Southampton. They have also progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after defeating Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park on Wednesday. Chelsea on the other hand were knocked out of the competition after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City and have suffered from a lack of form in recent times, picking up just two points from their last four matches, losing their last two against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.

In team news, Newcastle United will miss Alexander Isak, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth and Paul Dummett due to injury while Callum Wilson is a doubt. The likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock and Fabian Schar are expected to return to the starting lineup while Joelinton is expected to be picked over Jacob Murphy. As for Chelsea, N'Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Reece James will be unavailable due to injuries while Kepa Arrizabalaga is also doubtful. Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all set to come back in. Potter is expected to go with Cesar Azpilicueta at right back while Trevoh Chalobah is expected to feature alongside Thiago Silva. A draw seems like a likely result from this fixture.

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