Newcastle United host Chelsea on Saturday evening in a meeting between two of the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs.
Since the controversial takeover of Newcastle last year, no Premier League team has a larger net spend than the Magpies. Chelsea came under new ownership just last May and splashed in excess of £250m on transfers last summer, a division-high.
Thus far, Newcastle’s riches have been put to better use and are guaranteed of a top-four spot come Christmas Day. Chelsea have a game in hand on their upcoming hosts but trail Newcastle by six points.
Here’s everything you need to know about this expensive encounter.
An illness he had been carrying last week forced Callum Wilson off during the interval of Newcastle’s comfortable victory against Southampton on Saturday. The England international was included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad and is expected to return for his club this weekend.
Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett have been struggling with calf problems which leave the trio in doubt. Alexander Isak (thigh) and Emil Krafth (knee) have been ruled out for several months.
