Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to the St. James’ Park ahead of their classical encounter on Saturday afternoon
It’s Newcastle’s first home game since Steve Bruce’s departure, with his former assistant Graeme Jones filling in as caretaker, the club goes in search of its first win, or clean sheet, of the nine-game-old league season.
The sacking of Steve Bruce as head coach brought no change to Newcastle United’s dire run of results. They played out a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace when the sides squared off last Saturday.
The Magpies now remain one of just three sides yet to taste victory in the Premier League this season, alongside Burnley and Norwich City.
Meanwhile, Chelsea progressed into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup last time out when they brushed aside Southampton in a penalty shootout
Prior to that, Thomas Tuchel’s men annihilated and dismantled Norwich City 7-0 in their last league outing. Mason Mount put on a clinical display as he grabbed his first hat-trick for the Blues.
With 22 points from nine outings, Chelsea currently lead the way in the league, one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool.
Newcastle Vs Chelsea – Team News
Newcastle
Newcastle interim Coach, Jones confirmed in his press Conference that they will be without Paul Dummett and Elliot Anderson for the Blues clash. Jonjo Shelvey returns after serving a suspension for his sending off against Spurs.
CHELSEA
Chelsea will be without their hit – men Lukaku and Werner, plus Christian Pulisic who returned to training this week. The game comes ‘too early’ for the 23-year-old.
Mateo Kovacic has also been ruled out for ‘some weeks’ with a hamstring injury. While quartet Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are available for selection.
Newcastle Vs Chelsea – Predicted Lineups
Newcastle predicted lineup(5-3-2)Darlow; Ritchie, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Longstaff, Willock, Almiron; Saint-Maximin, Wilson
Chelsea predicted lineup(3-4-3): Mendy; Aziplicueta , Silva, Rudiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Chilwell; Mount, Hudson-Odor, Havertz
Newcastle Vs Chelsea – Key players
Newcastle – Calum Wilson
The informed English striker opened the scoreshet of the Arabian new Era by scoring the equalizer in their last time out against Crystal Palace which ended in 1 :1
Calum Wilson has scored 6 goals in his last six PL appearances and he’s is one short of 100 English league goals.(opta)
If Newcastle are to get anything out out the Tuchel’s Men, then the job solely rest on the English hitman.
Chelsea – Ben Chillwell
Ben Chilwell has enjoyed a tremendous turnaround of fortunes. The England international is currently one of the most in-form players in the Premier League.
Chillwell is the first English player to score in four consecutive Premier League games for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in February 2013(Opta stats)
The 24-year-old is showing his quality and the attacking threat he poses consistently, with his forward forays, dangerous deliveries into the box and goals making him a pivotal player for Chelsea.
And, if Newcastle United wish to get anything from Saturday’s encounter, they will need to find a way to neutralise the threat posed by Chelsea’s full backs especially Chilwell.
Newcastle United Vs Chelsea – Prediction
With 22 points from nine outings, Chelsea currently lead the way in the league, one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool.
Unlike their hosts, this fine string of performances has been down to their defensive solidity as they have conceded just three goals this season.
Chelsea completed the league over double Newcastle last season, securing a 2-0 win on occasions.
Newcastle United are without a clean sheet in the league this season, conceding 20 goals from their opening nine outings.
Chelsea have a seemingly good record up in the north east, having won five of the past six meetings in the league against the Magpies Opta stats(Twitter)
The hosts, on the other hand, have struggled to get going this season and are currently languishing in the drop zone. While the Saudi-Arabians have completed the club takeover, an immediate response should not be expected considering their current crop of players.
With that said, we are tipping Chelsea to come out victorious on Saturday but the absence of a standing striker would make the game difficult for Chelsea against a team that play 5 men at the back.Newcastle have scored in all their matches this season excluding Aston villa, it won’t be easy against the team with the best defence in Premier League this season.
Nevertheless, They possess a lot of target men – Maximin and Wilson to trouble the Chelsea’s defence.
Newcastle 1 : 2 Chelsea
