Eddie Howe and Enzo Maresca get ready for a significant clash in the UCL competition as Newcastle faces Chelsea.

‘I know they don’t like me’ – Maresca on facing Betis in Conference League final

Newcastle United are set to welcome Chelsea to St. James’ Park this Sunday in a pivotal clash that could determine who secures a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Blues arrive in the North East sitting in fourth place, level on points with third-placed Newcastle, with both teams sharing the same goal difference. With only three matches remaining in the Premier League season, the pressure is mounting as both clubs aim to return to Europe’s elite competition.

Ahead of the encounter, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca emphasised the significance of the fixture, describing it as the first of three crucial games for his side. Following the Newcastle match, Chelsea will face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge before travelling to Nottingham Forest, another team vying for Champions League qualification.

“It’s a big one, huge one,” Maresca stated to reporters. “Manchester United will be a big one and Nottingham Forest will be a big one. We have three big games ahead of us.”

He continued, “Sunday is a chance, for sure, to start in a good way. We are on a good run, in a good mood, so hopefully we can play a good game and win.”

However, Maresca insisted that the focus must remain on the immediate challenge of Newcastle. “Players need to focus on the Newcastle game because it is the next one,” he added. “They need to be thinking that this is the last game of the season, give everything and then we will see at the end.”

Newcastle, who ended a 20-year wait to qualify for the Champions League last season, are keen to build on their previous campaign, despite being eliminated in the group stage. Magpies boss Eddie Howe is acutely aware of the stakes as they head into this crucial encounter.

“Every game we have between now and the end of the season becomes our biggest game of the season,” Howe remarked. “We know the importance of where we finish in the Premier League and we are doing everything we can to finish as high as we can.”

Howe acknowledged the possibility that the race for Champions League spots could go down to the wire, but stressed the need to focus on the next opponent. “It could go to the last game, but all we can do is take care of our next opponent.”

In their previous meeting this season, Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, and Howe is bracing for another challenging afternoon, despite the home advantage. “In the game at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, they were excellent,” he noted. “It was one of our most difficult games of the season. Enzo is a very good manager and very clever with what he does.”

“They’ve got great attacking players who can hurt us, so we need to be ready for that,” Howe concluded.

Newcastle United face Chelsea on Sunday, May 11, with kick-off scheduled for 12:00 UK time. Live coverage will begin at 11:00 on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and discovery+. TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a comprehensive line-up of channels and digital options for viewers.