2019-20 Premier League: Week Nine – Chelsea vs Newcastle United

Chelsea look to continue their upsurge in form as they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge. 

A home win could temporarily see Frank Lampard’s Blues move into the top four for the first time this season, whilst Newcastle can move away from the relegation zone with victory.

 

Team news

Embed from Getty Images

Chelsea could see a host players available for selection after recovering from various injuries.

Reece James (ankle), Emerson (thigh) and Antonio Rudiger (groin) could feature in defence, whilst N’Golo Kante (adductor) and Mateo Kovacic (leg) are set to return in midfield.

Andreas Christiansen (hamstring) is however a doubt but could return for Chelsea’s trip to Ajax on Wednesday, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) and Marco van Ginkel (knee) remain sidelined.

Newcastle will be without Matt Ritchie after the Scotsman needed ankle surgery in the international break.

Isaac Hayden is serving the second of a three match ban whilst Florian LeJeune could return from a knee injury before the November international break.

 

Form

Chelsea have suffered just one defeat in their last seven league games, although their only clean sheet came in their last home match against Brighton.

Newcastle enter this match off the back of a narrow home win over Manchester United but are winless in their last two away outings since beating Tottenham in late August. 

 

Stat Attack

• Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven league meetings with Newcastle United (W5, D1, L1), including both clashes last season which went 2-1 in the Blues’ favour. 
• The Blues have won their last seven home outings against Newcastle in all competitions. 
• As a player, Chelsea manager – Frank Lampard scored two of his six goals against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. 
• Newcastle have taken six points from four meetings so far this season with members of last season’s top six (W2, L2). 
• Jorginho has played a league high eight through balls for Chelsea so far this season.

 

Prediction

Newcastle have been inconsistent all season but have somehow found a way to play out narrow results against the top teams, which is going to be a slight concern for Chelsea who are currently improving with every game. 

This game therefore should be an interesting test of Chelsea’s ability, given that Newcastle have reverted back to their Rafa Benitez style despite Steve Bruce being in charge and will certainly cause issues defensively. 

Clean sheets however haven’t really been a strong point for neither team so there should be a few goals here but Stamford Bridge has become bit of a hoodoo recently for the Magpies, which points towards a home win. 

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United

Result: Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle United