A four-game winless streak in the league has dropped the Blues to seventh place in the table, but Newcastle are up to third, with the Magpies picking up 27 points from their first 14 games.
Team News
Newcastle United
- Newcastle will be without Alexander Isak, Ryan Fraser, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth, and Paul Dummett due to injury.
- Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock, and Fabian Schar will all return to the starting lineup for this game.
- Joelinton was suspended against Southampton in the league last weekend, but he is available for this match and is expected to start ahead of Jacob Murphy in the final third of the field.
Chelsea
- N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, and Reece James will all be absent at St James’ Park once more.
- Kepa Arrizabalaga is also doubtful due to a foot injury, while Jorginho is still out with the problem that kept him out against Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
- Potter is expected to make changes from Wednesday’s game, with Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all set to return.
- Chelsea may opt for a back four for this match, with Cesar Azpilicueta filling in at right-back and Trevoh Chalobah starting alongside Thiago Silva in the middle.
Possible Lineup
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; S Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Joelinton, Wilson, Almiron; Joelinton
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, T Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic; Sterling, Havertz, Mount; Aubameyang
Prediction Analysis
We would have tipped Chelsea to win this in previous seasons, but it is so difficult to back against Newcastle right now, and the visitors will not be in the best of form. Both managers would be content with a point on Saturday, and we expect the spoils to be shared at St James’ Park.
Our prediction is Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea.