Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Time – India: 06:00 PM (Saturday); UK: 12:30 PM (Saturday)
Venue: St. James’ Park
Referee: Craig Pawson
The Premier League returns after the two-week international break with a game in the northeast of England on Saturday when Newcastle United will host Chelsea at St. James’ Park.
The home side have made a steady start to the season with 11 points from their opening eight games. But they are coming up against a Chelsea side who were building up to steam before the international break. They have won four on the bounce in all competitions and have conceded just once in their last six games.
Frank Lampard will hope that his side will be able to pick up from where they left off before the break and produce another solid performance away from home at Newcastle on Saturday. But Steve Bruce will back the Magpies to get something from the game despite Chelsea’s form before the international break.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Head-to-Head
Total games – 197
Newcastle wins – 54
Chelsea wins – 74
Games drawn – 39
Chelsea have the superior record over Newcastle since their first meeting in September 1907 in a League Division One game.
While Newcastle did beat Chelsea at St. James’ Park in their last meeting in January but it came on the back of three straight wins for the Blues over the Magpies. However, Newcastle have won two of their last games at home against the west London club.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Recent form
Newcastle: L-W-D-L-W
Chelsea: W-W-W-W-D
Newcastle are coming into the game on the back of some indifferent form and went into the break following a 2-0 loss at Southampton. But the story for Chelsea is completely different and they have won their last four in all competitions.
Frank Lampard’s side also went into the break on the back of a solid 4-1 win over Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Team news
Newcastle
Steve Bruce is dealing with a number of injury problems in his squad with Jonjo Shelvey, Dwight Gayle, Martin Dubravka, Ryan Fraser, Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie all expected to be sidelined for the game.
The Newcastle manage sounded hopeful in his pre-match conference about having Callum Wilson in the squad when Chelsea visit Tyneside on Saturday.
Chelsea
Kai Havertz has returned to training after recovering from COVID but there are doubts whether he will feature in the starting eleven against Newcastle. Christian Pulisic is yet to recover from a hamstring injury as well and will miss the trip to the northeast.
Frank Lampard has also confirmed that Thiago Silva will not be travelling to Newcastle after returning from international duty on Thursday.
Ben Chilwell is expected to shake off a back problem and feature in the starting eleven for Chelsea on Saturday.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Probable XI
Newcastle: Darlow; Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis; Hendrick, Hayden, Longstaff; Saint-Maximin, Wilson.
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Werner
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: BT Sport 1
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: BT Sport App
Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Prediction
Chelsea might have lost in two of their last three visits to St. James’ Park, they are going to Tyneside on Saturday on the back of real momentum and form and are favourites to get all three points.
Newcastle can be a tough team to beat home and their defensive tactics could keep the Blues at bay for some time but Chelsea are likely to find the breakthrough and leave Tyneside with another win in their bag.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea predicted scoreline: 1-2
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