Newcastle United welcome Chelsea at St James’ Park on Saturday, hoping to make it five wins on the bounce in the Premier League.
The Toon Army saw off Crystal Palace in the penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday evening, thereby, continuing their smashing run of form of late. Following their win in the Carabao Cup, they turn their focus towards Premier League football where Eddie Howe’s men have been excellent so far.
The Magpies will want to consolidate their third spot in the table with a win over Chelsea, who are on a two-game losing run in the league.
Newcastle United Team News
In Ryan Fraser, Newcastle United have a new injury concern ahead of Chelsea’s visit to St James’s Park. Fraser missed the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace with a calf problem and remains doubtful for the upcoming Premier League fixture. Fraser joins Alexander Isak, Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth on the sidelines.
Callum Wilson also missed the midweek cup tie, due to illness, but Eddie Howe expects the striker to be fit to face Chelsea. Even though there is considerable chatter regarding the striker’s involvement with the World Cup on the horizon.
Joelinton is back after serving his suspension.
Predicted Newcastle lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope was excellent in the penalty shootout against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, making three saves. He should continue in goal in the Newcastle lineup.
Defence
Newcastle United have the joint-best defensive record in the division with just 11 goals conceded in 14 games. To keep things tight at the back again, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn will need to produce top performances against Graham Potter’s Chelsea side.
Trippier and Burn will take up the full-back positions in the Newcastle lineup, while Botman and Schar resume their centre-back partnership at the heart of the Magpies’ backline.
Midfield
Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton might make up Newcastle’s midfield as they focus on dominating the ball in the centre of the park. Joelinton has been operating in the frontline in recent weeks but his industry and physicality might be needed in midfield against a strong Chelsea side.
Bruno operating as a No.6 should give Longstaff and Joelinton the license to bomb forward and create meaningful opportunities in the final third for the forwards.
Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Targett and Joe Willock will be available for selection on the bench as they wait for their chance to impress in the second half if required.
Attack
Allan Saint-Maximin could be preferred ahead of Jacob Murphy on the left flank in the Newcastle lineup due to his flair, pace and dribbling skills. Miguel Almiron has become one of the first names on the team sheet due to his fantastic goal-scoring exploits this season, with Callum Wilson leading the Newcastle attack against Chelsea if passed fit.
If Wilson, Saint-Maximin and Almiron can click together, they can cause Chelsea’s defence a lot of problems throughout the evening in Tyneside.