Finishing seventh in the Premier League last season - just three points and one place behind Chelsea in the Conference League spot - Newcastle targeted a serious push for a return to the Champions League in 2024-25 without the distractions of continental competition, but that mission has started slowly as the harsh winter months draw closer.

A four-match unbeaten run in the league at the beginning of the term provided cause for optimism on Tyneside, although the Magpies are now in the midst of a five-game winless streak on English football's top table, concerning form that was worsened by a narrow defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Goals either side of the half-time whistle from Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer did the damage to Newcastle, who momentarily restored parity in the contest courtesy of stuttering striker Alexander Isak, who has only managed two goals in his opening seven Premier League appearances.

Focusing on EFL Cup matters, Eddie Howe's troops commenced their 2024-25 road to Wembley with a penalty-shootout success over fellow top-flight contenders Nottingham Forest in the second round on August 28, before the North-East giants squeezed past League Two AFC Wimbledon in the third round thanks to spot kick from Fabian Schar.

Last lifting a major trophy in 1955, Saudi-backed Newcastle will view the EFL Cup as an excellent opportunity to end their silverware drought, with Wednesday's hosts failing to win this competition in the past despite making final appearances in the 1975-76 and 2022-23 seasons.

After losing 2-1 to title challengers Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the month, Chelsea have returned to winning ways in both the Conference League and on the domestic scene, with Sunday's victory over Newcastle lifting the capital club to fifth in the Premier League table.

For the seventh and sixth times respectively in the league already this season, starboy Palmer and hotshot Jackson found the net in the Premier League for the Blues, who can only boast five different Premier League goalscorers so far this term despite being the division's second-deadliest attack behind Manchester City.

Owing to their continental adventures in UEFA's third-tier club competition, Chelsea have only had to navigate the troubles of one EFL Cup tie to arrange a fourth-round battle versus Newcastle on Wednesday night, with the West Londoners putting League Two Barrow to the sword at Stamford Bridge on September 24.

As has been the case for cup matches so far this campaign, Enzo Maresca made a raft of alterations to his preferred XI for the contest and his fringe players produced a five-goal performance, with Christopher Nkunku stealing the majority of the headlines courtesy of a brilliant hat-trick.

Rather unsurprisingly considering the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool in this competition over the last decade, Chelsea's most recent EFL Cup triumph arrived in the middle of the 2014-15 season, when Wembley strikes from John Terry and Diego Costa ensured a final victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle are sweating over the fitness of England international Anthony Gordon, who missed the trip to Stamford Bridge on the weekend due to a groin injury sustained in training on Saturday.

With the Magpies awaiting the results of a scan on their talismanic winger, Howe's options for his forward line are limited, meaning that the likes of Will Osula and Jacob Murphy could earn starts on Wednesday night.

Only recently back from a toe injury, Isak might be rested from the start of this match despite fellow striker Callum Wilson occupying a spot in the medical room due to a back problem.

The hosts' options in their backline are reduced by the absences of centre-back Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier, whilst Sven Botman is sidelined until the New Year because of a cruciate ligament injury.

Chelsea suffered no fresh fitness concerns during their Premier League victory on Sunday, but Maresca is set to make a host of changes to his starting side.

Many of the stars of the Blues' 4-1 win over Panathinaikos in the Conference League last week are set to return, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Joao Felix.

The only first-team worry for Chelsea centres around out-of-favour defender Ben Chilwell, who is a doubt for the trip to St James' Park after missing training recently due to illness.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Vlachodimos; Livramento, Krafth, Schar, Kelly; Longstaff, Willock, Tonali; Murphy, Osula, Isak

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku