Chelsea vs Newcastle Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score
Chelsea entertain Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon looking to keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the league.
The Blues moved level on points with second placed Manchester City with an impressive 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night thanks to a superb winner from Branislav Ivanovic.
The result leaves both clubs sitting two points off leaders Arsenal and Jose Mourinho’s men will be ready to take advantage of any slip up from the Gunners as they visit Anfield in Saturday’s early kick off.
Mourinho has been playing down his side’s chances of winning the league but it’s clear mind games from the Portuguese coach and he knows full-well that the west Londoners are well positioned to push for the title during the closing 14 games.
Newcastle visit the Bridge off the back of last weeks disastrous 3-0 loss to rivals Sunderland. Alan Pardew’s men still sit comfortably in eight place in the table but they’ll be keen to get back on track as quickly as possible to prevent their season from fizzling out.
Team News
Chelsea have no new injury worries to contend with. Mourinho has confirmed that striker Fernando Torres is back in training from a knee injury that’s kept him out in recent weeks but he won’t be risked just yet.
That is likely to see Samuel Eto’o retain his place up front although Demba Ba is also pushing for a start against his former club.
January signing Mohamed Salah is in contention but may have to make do with a place among the substitutes.
Newcastle have a number of problems to deal with tomorrow. Key midfielder Cheick Tiote has been ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury so will miss the trip to the capital.
With Yohan Cabaye sold to PSG, Hatem Ben Arfa could continue in attack while new signing Luke De Jong could make his full debut having come off the bench last week.
Defender Fabricio Coloccini remains out with a knee injury and he joins strikers Yoan Gouffran (muscle strain) and Papiss Cisse (back) on the sidelines. Pardew’s options are further limited with Loic Remy still suspended.
Likely Line-Ups
Key Man
Eden Hazard: The Belgian international has been in excellent form of late, not only contributing with goals and assists but also putting a real shift in for the team. We think he’ll certainly be the one to watch tomorrow.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle: The Blues are formidable at home and with Newcastle depleted and coming off the back of a disappointing display, we can’t see past a Chelsea win.
What team would you play and what’s your predicted score? Share your views below.
Football News 24/7
Akinsipe tosin
February 7, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Chelsea 3; newcastle united 0
roman
February 7, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Hazard n salah sud cum of the bench to terrorize defense! I wud play
Azp cahill, Terry, cole,
Matic Lamp
Willian Oscar Schurrle
Ba
Sub – Ram Hazard Salah / eto’o dep the score!
The tm I selected is basically to rest some players n later excel the pace of the game by chosing those subs!
Omolade Fatiu
February 7, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Cech
Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Aspilizueta
Ramires, Matic
Salah, Oscar, Hazard
Eto
Adjei Seth
February 7, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0;:”% from seth ghana
Abuco
February 7, 2014 at 10:31 pm
there, are my strongest line-up cech, ivonovic, cahill, terry, azpliceta, remires, matic, willian, oscar, hazard, et’oo, subs. salah, torres, mikel, lampard, ba, cole, and others.
Abuco
February 7, 2014 at 10:43 pm
chelsea 3-1 win
femi
February 7, 2014 at 10:52 pm
chelsea is a win 3 _0 newcastle
Isaj
February 7, 2014 at 11:06 pm
My strngs line up check,ivo,terry,cail,cole,hazad,osca,mikel,wilm,ba
Saheed
February 7, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0
Jiregna Taresa
February 8, 2014 at 12:28 am
salah must start from the bench to terrorize the tired defenders, and jose must give chance for ba, i’m boring to see eto’o in blues
Ben
February 8, 2014 at 1:36 am
check. iva.cahil .terry azp.Ramirez matic .hazard welian salah Ba.sub.lampad Mikel eto Luis Oscar.Chelsea we carry d day 3 . 0
Jnr
February 8, 2014 at 3:17 am
Mou if you dont like the nigeria international, pls sell him, and stop make full of him. Cos he is more better then the mindfielder you play now, you mou strep him off the african best player of the year
Vin chelsea mpundu
February 8, 2014 at 5:30 am
Mr back pass better thn who?
Vin chelsea mpundu
February 8, 2014 at 5:28 am
Mikel is better thn who?stp drmin with mr back pass
Rasheed
February 8, 2014 at 5:31 am
Chelsea2-newcastle0
sunny
February 8, 2014 at 6:20 am
Mr mou pls if u knw dat u dont need mikel in ur squad again sell him as u did to dat ganian midfielder esien cos we nigerians need d current european league winner to play for us in worldcup
ogmacdaniel
February 8, 2014 at 7:08 am
cech
Ivan – cahil – terry – azpi
matic – mikel
salah – oscar – schurrle
Ba
sud:hazard,willian,ramires,schwzer,kalac,cole,luiz
ogmacdaniel
February 8, 2014 at 7:11 am
ramires should start frm the bench because the last match agains city he was kidda weak he need rest orelse our own ramires wil jst need up being lyk essien
Barron
February 8, 2014 at 11:44 am
Cech
ivanovic terry cahill azpilicueta
ramires matic
willian oscar hazard
samuel eto
Substitutes
.Schwarzer
.cole
.luiz
.mikel
.lampard
.salah
.ba
Temidayo
February 8, 2014 at 12:04 pm
I think there should be only one change from the team that beat man city, oscar should come in, hazard and ramires should start but they should be replace around 60 mins bcos they need rest. And i want to see my new boy SALAH. Chelsea 3 newcastle 1.
Kip
February 8, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Chesea 4-newcastle 1
Isioma O
February 8, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Chelsea 3 vs 0 Newcastle United