After a less than impressive start to the campaign, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have now won four games on the trot in three different competitions. They beat Southampton and Brighton in their last two league games and will look to extend that run when they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge in their league game back after the international break.
The Magpies are fresh from beating Manchester United at home and have also beaten Tottenham Hotspur in their only other victory so far this league season. Steve Bruce will set up his side to try and frustrate the hosts and try to break the six-game winning streak the Blues are on against Newcastle United at the Bridge. Chelsea walk into this game as firm favourites to take all three points and here is the predicted lineup Lampard might field for this tie.
Team News
N’Golo Kante (groin) and Andreas Christensen (hamstring) will miss out having picked up injuries over the international break. Antonio Rudiger (groin) is still not match-fit.
Mateo Kovacic (thigh) has trained and is likely to feature.
Reece James (ankle) and Emerson Palmieri (hamstring) are back in training but are unlikely to feature.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga has statistically been mediocre in goal for Chelsea. But against a misfiring Newcastle United attack, he is expected to have a comfortable night.
But he has a shaky partnership of Kurt Zouma and young Fikayo Tomori in front of him in the Chelsea lineup, who will surely be tested by the likes of Miguel Almiron and Joelinton in the visitors’ attack.
Cesar Azpilicueta has not been at his best so far this season but remains the first-choice for Lampard at right-back. Emerson’s absence should see Marcos Alonso keep his place at left-back.
Midfield
With Bruce expected to set up defensively for this game, Lampard might be tempted to use just two midfielders this weekend.
Jorginho, who has been one of the most consistent players for Chelsea this season is likely to have Mateo Kovacic as his partner in central midfield in the Chelsea lineup.
Attack
Willian seems to have impressed Lampard enough to cement a place in the first team. The Brazilian will start on the right flank while Mason Mount will add some creativity in the no.10 role.
The youngster could be the danger man for the Magpies, who will also have to keep a close eye on Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left-wing.
The young winger was unplayable on international duty during the break and should be preferred over Christian Pulisic, who is still finding his feet in London.
Tammy Abraham leads the goal scoring charts and will be expected to test Martin Dubravka on goal. The English striker will, however, have his work cut out against the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, both of who have been solid at the back this season for Bruce’s side.
CHELSEA LINEUP
