Newcastle United’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea this Sunday has all the hallmarks of a classic six-pointer.

With UEFA Champions League qualification on the line, either Newcastle or Chelsea could take a significant stride towards securing a top-four finish by claiming victory at St James’ Park.

There has been little to separate the two sides throughout the season. Both clubs are level on 63 points and share an identical goal difference of +21, with Newcastle sitting just ahead of the Blues by virtue of goals scored.

Eddie Howe’s men were held to a 1-1 draw away at Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, while Chelsea capitalised by defeating newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

This weekend’s clash on Tyneside was already shaping up to be a high-stakes encounter, and the tension has only increased. In such a pivotal fixture, composure and clear decision-making will be crucial.

Premier League Appoint John Brooks as Referee for Newcastle v Chelsea

As ever, the referee will play a key role, and the Premier League has confirmed that John Brooks will officiate the match. Based on recent history, his appointment could be seen as a positive sign for Newcastle United.

Brooks has overseen three Newcastle matches so far this season – all resulting in victories. Two of those came against Arsenal: a 1-0 league win at St James’ Park in November and a 2-0 triumph at the Emirates in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

However, the most significant result came under Brooks’ officiating at Wembley, where the Magpies defeated Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup – ending a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

By contrast, Chelsea’s fortunes with Brooks as referee have been far from positive. In the three matches he has officiated involving the Blues this season – away to Liverpool, Ipswich Town, and Manchester City – Chelsea have suffered defeat on each occasion.

Dan Burn: Chelsea Clash Has Cup Final Feel

Dan Burn, who famously opened the scoring in that Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool, believes this weekend’s match carries a similarly high-stakes atmosphere.

Although United lost 2-1 in the reverse league fixture at Stamford Bridge in October, they responded swiftly with a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory at St James’ Park just days later.

“As long as we’re picking up points and ticking over, that’s what you want,” Burn told NewcastleWorld following the draw with Brighton. “We’re always quite a positive group who believe in what the gaffer is doing. We always feel like we’re mentally where we want to be.

“It is a cup final, really – it’s huge. I never really worry about us mentally going into those games, especially playing at home in front of our fans, knowing they’ll be buzzing for it as well.”