· 11 May 2025, 10:53
**Newcastle United and Chelsea meet at St James' Park today in a midday kick-off live on TNT Sports, with a lot riding on the game.**
Today's match is being billed as a six-pointer in terms of the chase for those coveted Champions League places, and while a draw wouldn't be the end of the world, thanks to Manchester City slipping up yesterday, a win would be absolutely massive.
It's therefore imperative that the managers get their team selections and tactics absolutely spot-on today.
Eddie Howe has made some changes to his starting XI, not just in terms of personnel but in shape too. Eddie means business.
Big changes from Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe has made some huge changes
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Joe Willock has been dropped from the side, but given his absence from the bench, it could be another injury issue, and it's believed to be an injury to Kieran Trippier that has kept him out of the side too.
Sven Botman has returned to the starting lineup as Eddie Howe looks to have amended his formation to cope with the missing man in midfield.
It may well catch Chelsea on the hop, having a change of shape. Our hope here is that it doesn't disrupt Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali too much, not having that third man in the middle.
Heap pressure on Marc Cucurella and we've got this
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The attack looks tasty, though, with Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy supporting Alexander Isak. That issue we've had with Isak being isolated could well be fixed today.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea's side looks very strong too, but they have fielded Marc Cucurella, which is always a nice bonus as he's probably their big weak spot.
I have unrelenting PMT right now (Pre-Match Tension), but I can't wait for this one to get underway.
HOWAY EDDIE HOWE'S ADAPTABLE MAGS!