Madueke decision, midfield boost, Chalobah statement - Chelsea lineups vs Newcastle United

Noni Madueke has been playing off the left wing (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea once more did the job in Europe but now turn their attention towards making sure that it is Champions League football not Conference League next season. In their toughest remaining game, it is a trip to Newcastle United up next.

Enzo Maresca's side will start Sunday's crunch match in the battle for a top five spot level on points with their opponents. Only goal difference separates them with three to play.

A win here and Chelsea could all but secure themselves a return to the top table of European football next Friday when they host Manchester United. That is getting ahead, though.

Tom Coley

To cut this short, Chelsea will surely make 10 changes again with the same team that played Liverpool going straight back out. That would make this the third league game in a row with a consistent lineup.

That means Robert Sanchez returns in goal. He has been reliable of late, in fairness, and has been a great help when collecting crosses. The settled defence in front of him has been strong as well.

Moises Caicedo slots in at right-back and will invert into midfield when Chelsea have the ball. Trevoh Chalobah was exceptional against Liverpool and has really found his mojo again, to no surprise. Levi Colwill looks a better player when he knows who will be partnering him and the fellow Cobham graduate also put in a good showing last time out.

Marc Cucurella is the only player here who started against Djurgarden. As the sole senior left-back, he remains. It is the midfield where Chelsea need to win the battle on Tyneside. Newcastle are so good there and will be cheered on by an electric home crowd.

Romeo Lavia comes back for that reason and has changed Chelsea's season for the better. He makes them tick in new ways. Enzo Fernandez pushes on where he can best impact games.

Then the attack Cole Palmer playing inside with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto trying to cause danger on the flanks. It will be interesting to see if Maresca keeps Madueke on the left. He has been great there in the last two matches and it gets the best out of Neto as well.

Nicolas Jackson never lacks for effort but will need to prove himself for quality given how relentless Alexander Isak is as the opposite number.

Coley's XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.

Sam Truelove

A win at St James' Park would be huge for Chelsea's Champions League qualification chances. A draw would even be considered a decent result. It's more of a must-not-lose fixture.

I can't really see there being many changes from the Blues' 3-1 win over Liverpool last week, given how good the performance was. That means Caicedo continues at right-back, with Lavia and Fernandez in central midfield. Maresca will have to find a way of getting his captain Reece James into the team, but that's perhaps a problem that can be solved in the Club World Cup or pre-season.

After Palmer's night off against Djurgarden the former Man City man should be well up for this one, as should Madueke and Neto. Jadon Sancho, who started the Conference League semi-final second leg clash on Thursday, will most probably find himself on the bench again.

Jackson should also be fit and firing, although the likes of George and even Shumaira Mheuka may have an impact off the bench.

Truelove's XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.