Chelsea will be looking to maintain pressure on the Premier League top four when they welcome Newcastle to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues are three points behind both Aston Villa in fourth and Manchester United in third and have a superior goal difference to both.
The hosts have not been beaten by Newcastle on their own turf in nearly 15 years – the last time coming after a stunning Papiss Cisse double gave a team then managed by Alan Pardew a 2-0 win in May 2012.
The Magpies, meanwhile, are 12th, nine points behind Chelsea. Their most realistic hope of European qualification – unless they win the Champions League, that is – will be finishing in the top eight to secure a place in the Europa League or the Conference League.
However, those places are contingent on who wins the FA Cup and the potential award of that fifth Champions League spot.
The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in midweek as the Magpies were denied a famous Champions League win over Barcelona by a 96th-minute Lamine Yamal penalty – a 1-1 result leaving all to play for in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
The following day, Chelsea endured a tough evening at the Parc des Princes as Liam Rosenior’s men fell to a 5-2 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain, leaving them with a mountain to climb in next week’s return leg.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Palmer, Enzo, Garnacho, Pedro
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Badiashile, Sarr, Tosin, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Delap, Guiu
Newcastle team news
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Gordon, Barnes, Thiaw, Livramento, Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Ramsey
Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Trippier, Joelinton, Wissa, Osula, Elanga, Burn, Murphy
