Enzo Maresca believes that the success in the Conference League will benefit the Chelsea's approach to all competitions, because he wants to build a “winning mentality” with Newcastle United Next Up in the Premier League.
Chelsea is due to the final of the Conference League, after he has completed a 5-1 total victory over Djurgarden with a 1-0 win in the semi-final second stage on Thursday, thanks to the goal of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
They are still in the battle for a Champions League place in the Premier League, however, which is currently fifth, just below Newcastle, who have scored fewer goals.
Chelsea is unbeaten in their last six league games, including a big 3-1 win over Champions Liverpool last weekend, and Maresca hopes that they can continue to grow as a club as their European success continues.
“I try to convince the players that day after day, you have to build the winning mentality, win the small -sided games because winning you,” said Maresca.
“We want this club to win trophies, and it's nice to win a trophy because you learn how to win.
“Chelsea is a large club with important trophies in the past, but we have to learn how to win with this team.”
pic.twitter.com/HM6ZFFYQZ9
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) May 8, 2025
In the meantime, Newcastle is making their own strong thing to achieve a place in the Champions League next season.
They have only lost one of their last eight Premier League matches (W6 D1), although they pulled the previous time out with Brighton and score a late fine to earn an essential point.
Eddie Howe has found his winning formula in recent weeks, but Sean Longstaff has not been part of those plans and has only made eight starts in the competition this season.
Howe is sure that Longstaff will remain motivated to regain a regular starting place and hopes that he will seize the following opportunity when it comes.
“I don't have to motivate him,” Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle. “He should motivate himself – here he represents the club he loves here.
“He must be ready to take his chance when it comes. But Sean is motivated. He has been brilliantly behind the scenes, he trains well and he undoubtedly has qualities.”
Players to watch
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Since the beginning of December, Alexander Isak has registered the most goals (19) and non-Penalty Goals (15) in the Premier League, while he is only second place for Mohamed Salah (30) for goal involvement (23).
The Swede could score in a fourth consecutive league match against Chelsea, something he only did before in the league against Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez
No Chelsea player was directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2025 Dan Enzo Fernandez (six -three goals, three assists), score (one) or assistant (two) in each of his last three games in the competition.
Since the year of the year he has been second in the Premier League for opportunities created from Open Play (34), behind Mohamed Salah (45) and Joint-Third for possession won in the last third (15).
Bring the noise on Sunday.
#Newche pic.twitter.com/lrnh64nwab
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) 7 May 2025
Match forecast: Newcastle United Win
Newcastle has won seven of their last 11 Premier League matches against Chelsea (D1 L3), including both under manager Eddie Howe.
Newcastle has already beat Chelsea 2-0 this season in St James' Park in the EFL Cup. They last beat the blues twice in the same campaign in 1986-87 (both in the competition), while they last defeated them in two different competitions in 1931-32 (League and FA Cup).
However, Chelsea has won 31 Premier League matches against Newcastle and beat Tottenham (37) and West Ham (32) more often in the competition.
After winning three of their previous Eight Premier League matches (D2 L3), Chelsea each won of their last three games in the competition, and only enjoys a longer winning run in the competition this season between November and December (five games).
But about the last 20 league games for every current Premier League side, only Liverpool (46) have collected more points than Newcastle (43 – W14 D1 L5). It is indeed the most points they have collected during a series of 20 games in the competition since September 2002 and January 2003 (44).
Opta wins probability
Newcastle United – 44.8%
Drawing – 24.6%
Chelsea – 30.6%