Respite for Chelsea as they enjoy a spell of possession as the home fans boo.

Jeers turn to cheers as the visitors' possession ends when Robert Sanchez punts the ball long.

Fabian Schar wins the header and Newcastle are back on the attack.

Bruno Guimaraes takes the ball down on his chest after Moises Caicedo fails to head the ball properly away but it won't come down for him and the volley sails harmlessly wide.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 Live at St James' Park

Last week I was surprised that Caicedo didn't get sent off with the challenges he was putting in. So what do Newcastle do? First minute they put the ball in behind him to Anthony Gordon and that eventually led to the goal.

When he is back there he just seems rash and out of position. He is Chelsea's player of the year this season but he is out of position and Anthony Gordon is already giving him a tough time.

Image source, Getty Images

Every Newcastle attack feels like a dangerous one at the moment and Robert Sanchez does well to claim another good, low ball in from the right.

You wouldn't say Chelsea are hanging on but they are struggling to get a foothold in this game.

Newcastle come forward with purpose even after Alexander Isak is barged to the floor by Trevoh Chalobah.

Harvey Barnes gets into the box but his shot is blocked.

Play is back under way and Harvey Barnes is OK to continue.

Joelinton is out injured today but the cameras have just shown the Brazilian midfielder enjoying the game in stands.

He's sporting a Newcastle shirt from the 90s, apparently with 'Shearer 9' on the back...

It certainly is now, Rob!

But there is a slight concern for Newcastle with Harvey Barnes down and looking in some pain.

Ally McCoist
Former Rangers striker on TNT Sports

Sandro Tonali wins the ball and doesn't hang about and times his run absolutely perfectly.

He hits it into the ground and you're guaranteed to hit the target.

What a start.

Chelsea started quickly against Liverpool last weekend and do so again here.

Pedro Neto's cross is deflected behind and they have an early corner.

Referee John Brooks blows his whistle and away we go...

The teams are out, the sun is shining. Which of these two teams will take a big step towards Champions League qualification today?

Not long until kick-off now and there is quite an atmosphere at St James' Park.

Win this and the locals will almost be able to hear that Champions League music.

Here is a quick reminder of the two line-ups...

Image source, BBC/ Opta

Image source, BBC/ Opta

It's great to see two teams going head-to-head in this race for the top five and Chelsea probably come into it in better form after getting a great result against Liverpool on Sunday.

Yes, they were playing straight after Liverpool had won the title and the Reds had probably been celebrating all week, but they still had to put them away and they did that convincingly.

It means Enzo Maresca's side have won their past three league games so they will be full of confidence ahead of this one, but it's going to be tough for them to extend that run.

We know Maresca is a stickler for playing out from the back, but doing that against Newcastle is asking for trouble. The Magpies will put them under serious pressure, because that's what they do to teams at St James' Park.

Newcastle have got a very physical midfield which might be where the battle is won and lost, and of course Alexander Isak is such a threat too.

Chelsea have got match-winners too, if Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are firing, and my first thought was that there will be lots of goals in this game.

With what's at stake, though, it might be a little cagier than that. I think the BBC readers will go for a draw but I am going to stick my neck out and say Newcastle will edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to TNT Sports and says he is "hopeful" that both Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock - both of whom are missing today - will be fit to return before the end of the season.

However, he says there are "no guarantees" of that.