Chelsea and Newcastle United will both be looking to revive their European hopes when they lock horns at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Chelsea have a reputation for not showing patience with manager sackings, and Mauricio Pochettino is on the edge, at least among the Blues’ fan base ahead of the visit of Newcastle United on Monday.
Supporters shouted for the Argentine’s resignation following their 2-2 draw with Brentford in Gameweek 27, which saw them lose ground in the race for European qualification. And Monday night’s clash against Newcastle United looks to be another difficult one for Chelsea.
Only a late header from Axel Disasi saved the Blues from another humiliating defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium, after Mads Roerslev and Yoane Wissa saw the Bees lead 2-1 in the second period after Nicolas Jackson’s 35th-minute opener. The Blues have already missed out on their first opportunity to secure European football, losing in the EFL Cup final to Liverpool.
Although the Blues are still in the FA Cup, there is still a long way to go, and several major clubs remain in the competition. It means that Chelsea’s best chance of qualifying for Europe is now through the league. The Magpies, on the other hand, got back to winning ways after an impressive 3-0 win against Wolves last time around in the Premier League at St. James’ Park.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon struck in the first half during a rain-soaked encounter, while an unorthodox Tino Livramento solo goal put the cherry on the Magpies’ cake. As well as overtaking Wolves, Newcastle have also jumped above Brighton & Hove Albion into eighth place in the table, four points above Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
Last time around, Newcastle hammered Chelsea 4-1 at St. James’ Park this season in the Premier League. And here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the two sides ahead of this exciting fixture in the Premier League on Monday night.
Team News and Tactics
Chelsea
Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill have joined the Blues’ growing injury list, picking up knee and toe issues at the Gtech Community Stadium, respectively, and will rule them out of this one. Conor Gallagher adds to a trio of fresh concerns as he recovers from sickness.
Benoit Badiashile (groin) and Carney Chukwuemeka (ankle) will soon return to training but are not match fit yet, while Wesley Fofana (knee), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring), Reece James (thigh), Christopher Nkunku (thigh), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) remain in the treatment room.
Following Pochettino’s preference for the 3-5-2 last weekend, a transition to a back four is likely. Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is likely to start ahead of Djordje Petrovic. Malo Gusto produced a brilliant display of performance against Brentford and will be retained as the right-back. Marc Cucurella will play as the left-back.
Thiago Silva is expected to return and establish a centre-back partnership with Axel Disasi, which will be a significant boost for the Blues. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez will form the double-pivot for Chelsea. Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk are wingers in the lineup alongside attacking midfielder Cole Palmer, with Nicolas Jackson leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Newcastle United
Matt Targett could make a return from injury, but he may not be risked here. Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Nick Pope (shoulder) are out until after the international break, while there is still a way to go for Joelinton (thigh) and Callum Wilson (chest), who could be back by May with Sandro Tonali suspended. Lewis Hall cannot feature against his parent club.
Valentino Livramento, who opened his Newcastle United account last weekend, will be elevated to the starting XI, with Dan Burn keeping his spot at left-back. Joe Willock started only his second Premier League match for Newcastle this season during the 3-0 win over Wolves at St James’ Park.
He has shown signs of regaining his best form, and will retain his starting spot alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in the middle of the park. Jacob Murphy could keep his place in the side ahead of Miguel Almiron on the right-wing, as will Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Key Stats
- Chelsea have lost just one of their 28 home games against Newcastle United in the Premier League (W20 D7).
- Chelsea have lost only one of their past 12 home games in all competitions (W8 D3).
- Newcastle have lost six of their past eight away matches in the Premier League, winning the other two.
- The Magpies have conceded 29 away league goals this season; only Sheffield United have a worse record.
- The visitors are on a run of ten away games without a clean sheet.
Player to Watch
Anthony Gordon
With Callum Wilson and Joelinton among Newcastle United’s long-term absentees, Gordon will have a key role to play again on Monday, having recorded 15 goal involvements in his last 27 games in the competition (10G 5A), five more than in his first 80 with Everton and the Magpies (7G 3A).
He has also scored in the Magpies’ last two league games against Chelsea – November’s 4-1 win at St. James’ Park and a 1-1 away draw on the final day of last season – so that only bodes well from Newcastle’s perspective.
Prediction
Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle United
Chelsea were lucky in December’s Carabao Cup quarter-final showdown with Newcastle United. And a slew of new injury and sickness issues have hampered the Blues’ preparation for a game where three points may go a long way towards relieving some of the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino.
The Magpies bolted their back door shut against Wolves, conceding zero big chances. Reverting to the basics and the return of Jow Willock were vital, and another three points could be on the cards at Stamford Bridge for Eddie Howe’s side.