Frank Lampard’s Chelsea will be hosting Newcastle who stunned Manchester United through a 1-0 win prior to the international break.
However, Steve Bruce’s side will have a bigger challenge over the weekend with Chelse’s youngsters flying high this season.
Match Details
Date- Saturday, October 19 | Kick-Off- 7:30 PM (IST) | Venue- Stamford Bridge
Chelsea
In terms of players missing out for the blues, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Palmieri are ruled out due to injury. Marco Van Ginkel and Antonio Rudiger will also be on the sidelines after sustaining injuries to the knee.
N’Golo Kante suffered an adductor strain in the international break but returned to light training soon after. Kante’s involvement in the game remains in doubt as a result of it.
Lampard could start with a back four of Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori and Alonso. In case N’Golo Kante isn’t able to make the cut, Kovacic and Jorginho could be paired as holding midfielders. Willian, Mason Mount, Hudson Odoi to play should play in attacking positions, while the man in form, Tammy Abraham feeds off of them at centre-forward.
Talking about the overall form, Chelsea has won four consecutive games in all competitions ever since their defeat to Liverpool in the league. Chelsea’s most recent win was a 4-1 demolition of Southampton away at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Newcastle
Isaac Hayden is undergoing his suspension and will miss out against Chelsea. Meanwhile, Matt Richie and Florian Lejeune are ruled out due to an ankle and knee injury respectively.
Dubravka should start in at goal, while Yedlin Schlar, Lascelles, Clark, and Willems could be the possible candidates for a defensive back five. The Longstaff brothers should accommodate midfield alongside Saint-Maximin. The scorer against Tottenham, Joelinton should play as the lone striker.
Though Steve Bruce’s side finds itself at the 16th spot with just eight points on board. Six of those points were through wins against Tottenham and Manchester United. Newcastle is managing to create upsets this season, but overhauling a cohesive Chelsea unit will take require more of an effort than it previously did.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea- Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Alonso; Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Mount, Hudson-Odoi; Abraham
Newcastle- Dubravka; Yedlin, Schlar, Lascelles, Clark, Willems; Almiron, M Longstaff, S Longstaff, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton
Key Points
In the previous five meetings between the two sides, it’s Chelsea who’s got the upper hand with five wins in contrast to Newcastle’s solitary win during that period.
Chelsea has won it’s last seven home games against Newcastle in all competitions. The blues have also managed to score two or more goals in the last seven home games versus Newcastle.
Top Picks
Tammy Abraham didn’t feature in any of the games for England in the European Qualifiers. Nevertheless, it just makes him fresh and hungrier to score more goals for his side the coming weekend.
Abraham has scored eight goals in eight appearances for Chelsea, and also has attempted the most number of shots (23) in the Premier League so far.
Mason Mount has given him good company up front with four goals in eight games for the North London club.
19-year-old Matthew Longstaff scored a big goal against Manchester United on his debut game and will be eyeing further significant contribution for Newcastle. It’s been quite a while since Joelinton scored the winner against Tottenham, but the Brazillian centre-forward could possibly pack a punch against yet another North London club away from home.
CHE vs NEW Dream11 Today Match Prediction | Fantasy Team
Please note:
Kovacic is not playing, choose Jorgino instead.