Softfootball previews Wednesday’s pivotal EFL Cup clash as Newcastle United faces Chelsea, including predictions, team updates, and potential lineups.
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Just three days after their Premier League meeting at Stamford Bridge, Newcastle and Chelsea meet again at St James’ Park to battle for a place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Newcastle enters the game hoping to reverse their recent form and gain momentum after a slow start to the season. Meanwhile, Chelsea, in impressive early-season form, aims to secure their path in the EFL Cup’s fourth round.
Match Preview
Following a seventh-place finish last season, just behind Chelsea, Newcastle set their sights on a Champions League return. However, their campaign has been off to a slower start as winter looms. An initial four-match unbeaten streak stirred optimism for the Magpies, but a five-game winless skid in the Premier League, including a narrow loss to Chelsea on Sunday, has tempered expectations.
In their last league match, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer both scored against Newcastle, while Alexander Isak provided a brief spark by leveling the score for the Magpies before they ultimately fell 2-1. For Newcastle, the EFL Cup presents a promising chance to pursue long-awaited silverware, last lifted in 1955. Eddie Howe’s squad edged past Nottingham Forest and AFC Wimbledon in earlier rounds and now sets its sights on reaching the finals for the second year in a row.
Chelsea, bouncing back after a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, enters Wednesday’s game on the upswing, with victories in both their Conference League and domestic fixtures. A win at St James’ Park would propel the Blues to the quarter-finals and keep alive their quest for their first EFL Cup win since the 2014-15 season, when they defeated Tottenham in the final.
Manager Enzo Maresca has rotated his squad effectively, allowing key players like Christopher Nkunku, who scored a hat trick in Chelsea’s last cup match, to shine. Chelsea’s offensive firepower, including Palmer and Jackson, has led them to the Premier League’s second-highest scoring tally this season, underscoring their depth as they chase multiple competitions.
Team News
Newcastle is anxiously awaiting updates on Anthony Gordon, who missed their previous game due to a groin injury. In his absence, Will Osula and Jacob Murphy may get starts in the forward lineup. Newcastle’s defensive choices are limited, with injuries sidelining Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, and Sven Botman, who’s out until next year.
Chelsea reported no new injuries following Sunday’s match, though Maresca is expected to make several lineup adjustments, including a likely return for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Joao Felix. However, Ben Chilwell remains questionable due to recent illness.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United:
Vlachodimos; Livramento, Krafth, Schar, Kelly; Longstaff, Willock, Tonali; Murphy, Osula, Isak
Chelsea:
Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
Match Prediction
With both managers likely to rotate their lineups, a scrappy match is anticipated, where individual moments may determine the winner. Chelsea’s attacking depth may prove decisive, giving them an edge over Newcastle to secure their quarter-final spot.
For detailed stats, likely scorelines, and in-depth predictions, click here to follow Softfootball’s expert analysis.
