Chelsea vs. Newcastle United: Preview, Lineup

Last weekend left a sour taste in the mouth of Chelsea fans following their 2-1 defeat at Anfield to Liverpool, but this weekend offers the Blues a chance at redemption as Newcastle United come visiting.

With a lot to prove ahead of entering hostile waters with the Magpies, Chelsea need a desperate win to cover up whatever gaps may have been opened after their loss to Liverpool. Newcastle United presents Chelsea that perfect challenge to keep their tempo going.

At the moment, the Blues sit in 7th place just 3-points off the top 4 spot in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca’s team can get themselves into the top 4 spot prior to Liverpool’s meeting versus Arsenal at the Emirates if they can claim all 3-points against Newcastle United, even if it is dependent on the outcome of the latter fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool.

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However, that is all dependent on the wheel of fortune favoring the Blues and not the Magpies who themselves will fancy getting a result away at the Stamford Bridge to redeem their 1-0 defeat last weekend to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Currently sitting 12th in the table, Newcastle United can mount a giant leap into the 7th spot and leapfrog Chelsea to 8th place in the league assuming Tottenham Hotspur fail to get a result against Crystal Palace. Thus, despite Chelsea’s blazing form so far this season, a win against the Magpies is as unnegotiable as it is returning to the zenith of European football.

Going by recent history, the Magpies have only beaten the Blues once since 31st January 2001.

That said, whatever outcome Chelsea or Newcastle United come out with at full-time is dependent on the teams performance.

Here goes the Confirmed Lineup for both sides;

CHELSEA CONFIRMED LINEUP:

Newcastle United Confirmed Lineup: