Newcastle United are seeking three successive victories over Chelsea for the first time since 1914, with the Blues losing each of their last four visits to St James' Park, as well as nine of 13 trips to Tyneside since 2011, winning only three.
Newcastle vs Chelsea preview
Following this week's events, this could be a dress rehearsal of March's Carabao Cup Final but, before then, three precious Premier League points are up for grabs on Tyneside come Saturday lunchtime.
Back on Tuesday night, Chelsea were made to work hard for their EFL Cup semi-final place, but ultimately beat League One leaders Cardiff City 3-1 in South Wales. Alejandro Garnacho broke the deadlock, only for the Bluebirds to hit back, seemingly set to force a penalty shootout, but late goals from Pedro Neto and then Garnacho again secured victory.
Back in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca's side got back to winning ways by beating Everton 2-0 last weekend, with Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto the scorers. Nevertheless, before this, having yielded just two points from matches against Arsenal, Leeds and Bournemouth, the Blues remain fourth, eight points adrift the leaders. With this trip to Tyneside followed by next weekend's meeting with in-form Aston Villa, these are two key fixtures in determining which way Chelsea's season is going.
Newcastle United meantime ousted Fulham from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with Yoane Wissa breaking the deadlock, before Lewis Miley's stoppage time header snatching victory. If the Magpies are going to reach a third final in four years, they're going to have to overcome Manchester City.
This mid-week win maintains the Magpies magnificent home form, unbeaten in five Premier League matches on home turf, winning four of them, albeit their away form is substantially holding them back. Last Sunday, a bullet header of an own goal from Nick Woltemade saw Eddie Howe's team beaten 1-0 by fierce rivals Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light. So, having won only once away from home in the league, the Toon Army are languishing in 12th, albeit just six points below their visitors. Newcastle have won each of their last four encounters with Chelsea at St James' Park, two of which came last season, so they'll be confident of continuing this streak come Saturday lunchtime.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 179.
- Newcastle United Wins: 58. Draws: 40. Chelsea Wins: 81.
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe is very short of defensive options right now, given that Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are all sidelined, while Sven Botman is a major doubt. Lewis Hall also did not feature against Fulham on Wednesday, while Tino Livramento was forced off late on, meaning they could well be down to the bare bones at the back.
Elsewhere, Yoane Wissa both started and scored for Newcastle for the first time in mid-week, but Nick Woltemade will lead the line this time, with Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon also set to return. Bruno Guimarães would miss the Boxing Day clash with Manchester United if booked.
Newcastle United predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Newcastle player to watch vs Chelsea
Bruno Guimarães already has five Premier League goals to his name this season, while he was on target during May's 2-0 victory over Chelsea, so will he be on target here too?
Chelsea team news
Enzo Maresca heavily rotated in Cardiff on Tuesday but, after a far from convincing display against third-tier opposition, few did much to stake a claim for more regular inclusion.
Firstly, Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo and Liam Delap remain sidelined, but Moisés Caicedo is eligible to feature in the Premier League for the first time since being sent off against Arsenal.
Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho's double off the bench in the EFL Cup could earn him a start, while Reece James and Cole Palmer were among those rested entirely in mid-week.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle United: (4-3-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernández, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro.
Chelsea player to watch vs Newcastle
With Delap sidelined due to a shoulder injury, João Pedro will continue to lead the line, looking to add to his four Premier League goals this season, having netted at St James' Park back in 2022 when he was wearing the colours of Watford.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea prediction
In recent times, Newcastle have beaten Chelsea every single time the pair have clashed on Tyneside, and we're forecasting that this streak will continue on Saturday: Newcastle United 2-0 Chelsea.
Newcastle vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Newcastle United vs Chelsea in the Premier League on TV channel?
Newcastle United vs Chelsea in the Premier League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Newcastle United vs Chelsea in the Premier League on live streaming?
Newcastle United vs Chelsea in the Premier League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network & Telemundo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Newcastle United vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Newcastle United vs Chelsea takes place on Saturday 20 December 2025, with kick off at 12:30 (GMT), 7:30 (ET) & 4:30 (PT).