Journalist claims Newcastle’s star players could be injured or out of form ahead of crucial Champions League playoff game | OneFootball

In 24 hours time, Chelsea will be on the pitch at St James’ Park, with their whole season on the line.

A rollercoaster campaign of ups and downs has come to this – a 3 game run to earn our place in the top 5 and get into the Champions League.

Unfortunately, dropped points in the spring have meant the games we’re facing are not going to be easy. Newcastle are going to be as motivated as we are, given we’re in the exact same position as them. On the London is Blue podcast, Matt Law talked through the race and where he thinks Chelsea stand.

You can see their discussion in the clip embedded here:

What Chelsea need to do to navigate final 3 games successfully

Matt Law speaks on the London is Blue podcast.

“Aston Villa need to win their 3 games, there’s no ifs, buts or maybes. Forest have to win their next two to take it to a shootout [against Chelsea on the final day], and that Newcastle – Chelsea game is huge. If Chelsea win, I’m calling it. They’re there,” Law said.

“St James’ Park will be rocking… I think Newcastle will really go for the throat. But I look at them, they’ve lost a bit of steam. They’ve got Joelinton out which is huge, there’s a couple in there… Bruno had a bad game against Brighton, even Isak I thought ‘is he fully fit?’ He looked off the pace, for me… I do worry a little about them, to be honest.”

We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, and we don’t want to get overexcited by wins against Everton, Fulham, a post-title win Liverpool and Djurgarden, but it certainly seems like there’s an opening there for us to exploit.

Let’s not forget, we were playing on Thursday night, which, as Enzo Maresca said, is not the ideal preparation for a Sunday lunchtime game.