Enzo Maresca has said Chelsea are facing “not an ideal situation” but backed his side to “embrace” their trip to Newcastle on Sunday (12:00 BST).
The Blues face opponents who are level on points with them in the race for Champions League qualification less than 72 hours after beating Swedish side Djurgarden 1-0 at home to complete a 5-1 Conference League semi-final win on Thursday.
“The players need to focus on the Newcastle game,” urged Maresca. “They need to be thinking that this is the last game of the season and give everything.
“It’s a big one – a huge one. We have three big games [remaining]. It is 12 [o’clock] after a Thursday night [game], but we need to adapt immediately and play in the best way.”
Our skipper reacts to reaching another European final. 💙#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/Mziey5bffU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2025
Chelsea Champions League qualification
Should Chelsea or Newcastle lose, Nottingham Forest will replace them in the top five if Nuno Espirito Santo’s team win at home to relegated Leicester City on Sunday (14:15).
Chelsea host Manchester United on May 16 (20:15) before visiting Forest in a potentially pivotal contest on May 25 (16:00).
“The frustration is that we have create enough chances to win [some] games and we didn’t win,” rued Maresca. “But now is not the time to think about that.
“Now is the time to win as much as we can in the last three games. In terms of data, xG and chances missed, I think it shows we could have more points. But it is what it is and we have to win the next games we have.”
Chelsea meet Real Betis in the Conference League final in Wroclaw three days after their closing game of the Premier League season (20:00).
Newcastle vs Chelsea
Maresca praised Newcastle’s central midfield pairing, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, and said the Italy international has been “stronger” since returning in August from a 10-month ban.
“He is a fantastic player,” said Maresca. “I have known him since he was with Brescia and Milan. He is doing well but they have many, many good players, like Bruno Guimaraes.
“How many points will we need to finish in the top five? No idea, because it depends on the other results. But we need to focus on us and win the three games.
“If we need two wins or one? I don’t know. The focus it to try to win the three games we have.”
Chelsea on TV in May: Fixtures, channels, times
Here’s the full list of Chelsea Premier League games taking place in May, including the matches picked for TV and their new kick-off times.
Sunday, May 11
Newcastle vs Chelsea (12:00, TNT Sports)
Friday, May 16
Chelsea vs Man United (Sky Sports)
Trent Alexander-Arnold puts @LFC on the brink of the Premier League title…pic.twitter.com/wl0vQeQhKB
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 21, 2025
Sunday, May 25
Forest vs Chelsea
Broadcast selections are yet to be announced for the final day of the season, when all matches will start at 16:00.
Champions League qualification
The top four teams in the Premier League are guaranteed to reach the league phase of the Champions League, as will the team finishing fifth because of the coefficient rankings.
The winners of the Champions League and Europa League will also enter the league phase of the competition.
James Maddison 🎯@SpursOfficial | #UEL pic.twitter.com/Wd0PEUdmN7
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 17, 2025
That means Manchester United or Tottenham – both of whom are firmly in the bottom half of the table – will guarantee their involvement by lifting Europa League trophy.
In total, then, England will have six teams in next season’s Champions League: the top five, plus United or Tottenham.
How to watch the Premier League on TV: Sky Sports
Prices for Sky Sports and TNT Sports vary. Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £26 a month for a six-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
This Mohamed Salah assist 😮💨pic.twitter.com/geEAwnIti7
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 27, 2025
According to BT, TNT Sports costs £20 a month when bought with a broadband package or £30.99 a month without a contract.
Those prices include discovery+ Premium, which offers access to thousands of exclusive shows and originals.
Premier League live streams: How to watch online
Both broadcasters have dedicated apps allowing fans to live-stream the games: SkyGO for Sky Sports and discovery+ for TNT Sports.
Both apps are available on a vast range of devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, set-top boxes and mobile devices.
