Chelsea face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon in their final game before Christmas.

Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves looks close to a Premier League return. Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur all want the Portuguese star ahead of the January transfer

As the season of giving ramps up, unfancied sides across the Premier League will be hoping for a surprise present from their opponents this festive period. Here’s why three underdogs among this week’s fixtures may well see Christmas come early.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe was full of praise for Chelsea's recruitment policy, which he believes will benefit them long-term.

Holders Newcastle United face eight-time winners Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup while Chelsea take on Arsenal or Crystal Palace.

The Premier League's first Wear-Tyne derby since 2016 arrives Sunday when Sunderland host Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.

CB: Trevoh Chalobah —Chalobah has been the mainstay in Chelsea’s backline following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury and he’s impressed with his consistency at the back. He will be put to the test by the towering Nick Woltemade on Saturday.

Newcastle United match-winner Lewis Miley has also been speaking to Sky Sports: "It is a great feeling. I thought I would try to flick it on and it luckily hit the back of the net, so I'm buzzing. It is an unreal feeling. I grew up here so it couldn't be a better feeling.