Newcastle v CHELSEA: Preview | OneFootball

Date: Saturday 21st November 2020

Venue: St James’ Park

Kick-off: 12:30 GMT

You never really know what to expect from a game after an international break and our first game back sees us face Newcastle at St James Park in today’s lunchtime kick-off.

We definitely had some momentum gathering before we were rudely interrupted by internationals and looked as good as we should have against Sheffield United. The absence of Thiago Silva could leave us a bit shaky today though, such is the significance of his presence for us already.

Newcastle lost to Southampton last time out and will also be missing some players, not that Steve Bruce will allow any excuses from the Magpies. We’ve a decent enough record against Newcastle, with five wins from our last seven Premier League meetings, but St James’ Park is another matter, with only one win from our last seven top-flight trips there,

Like I said, you just don’t know what to expect.

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into today’s game, Newcastle Manager Steve Bruce, says “They (Chelsea) bought exceptionally good players, at the end of the day, and that makes life a little bit easier if you’re a manager. Of course, you have to find the right blend and the right balance, and they certainly seem to have got that over the last few weeks.  They’ve conceded only one in their last six games.  They’re a very, very good side and I believe personally that they will be there or thereabouts with the changes they’ve made.”

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, meanwhile, says “Newcastle is always a very difficult game. I played in those games and they were difficult, particularly for us. We have the difficulties of the early kick-off. I’m not using it as an excuse – it’s just a fact and a factor for us. Steve Bruce is a great manager who deserves huge credit for the job he’s done there already and he organises his team brilliantly so it’s a tough game on all fronts.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Newcastle, Ryan Fraser, isn’t fit, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie are doubts and Miguel Almiron is being assessed after arriving back in England late on Thursday. Callum Wilson (hamstring) could make a return.

For Chelsea, Christian Pulisic (hamstring) remains out and we’re likely to be missing Thiago Silva after his late return from internationals Thursday. Kai Havertz is back in training after his recovery from Covid-19 but is unlikely to be back in the squad yet.

TEAMS

NEWCASTLE (Possible line-up): Darlow; Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis; Hendrick, Hayden, S Longstaff; Joelinton, Saint-Maximin

CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Mendy; James, Zouma, Rudiger, Chilwell; Kovacic, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Abraham, Werner

LAST SEASON

Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea (18 January 2020)

CURRENT FORM (PL)

NEWCASTLE: DWLDWL

CHELSEA: DWDDWW

OTHER STUFF

PREDICTION

Sky Sports: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea

BBC Sport: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea

Sportsmole: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea