After the fine win against Manchester City, in the Premier League last time out, Chelsea make the long trip to the north-east, this weekend, to take on a Newcastle side that haven`t really settled into a pattern this season and have had a mish-mash of results. But nothing should be taken for granted with regards to playing at St James Park and Jose Mourinho will be telling his squad to remain professional, keep calm, take advantage of what chances come their way and do the utmost to dampen the enthusiasm of the Geordie nation!
Vital Quotes:
Chelsea travel to St James Park with Newcastle having suffered a defeat in the derby match to Sunderland. Spirits are low but the arrival of a big club, in town, has had Alan Pardew remarking,
‘We are down and we need a lift and I hope our fans give us a lift on Saturday. They did last night and we responded to that, and they need to be in really, really good voice for us to have a chance against Chelsea.”
‘It can transform your season, a win against Chelsea or Spurs, and that’s what we have got to look for.’
Beware a wounded Geordie nation is all I`ll say!
Newcastle Team News:
As far as injury news goes, our hosts will be without several key players, most notably in the centre of defence with Fabio Colocicini and Steven Taylor both unlikely to play while young Paul Dummett is out with a hamstring problem.
Player to watch: Papiss Cisse
Scored two tremendous goals against us not so long ago but a player who has suffered a dip in form. Nevertheless someone who needs watching and a striker who the Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew, has likened to another who appears to have found his form, Fernando Torres, with Pardew remarking,
“Torres worked hard in training to try and find form. Papiss needs to find a way back to his best.”
Chelsea Team News:
Apart from the long term casualty Marco Van Ginkel, Jose Mourinho has no injury concerns after the past two games with everybody fit for selection.
However, we expect Jose to rotate his squad, but will Demba Ba be selected to face his old club? Personally I doubt it.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres
Special performances against Spurs and Manchester City seem to indicate that the Spaniard is getting back to his best. Here`s hoping that Newcastle will see Fernando make it three out of three with regards to performances we`ll all be taking about.
Match Facts & Stats
Chelsea`s form up at St James Park is pretty respectable. On the last six visits thee we`ve won 3, drawn 2 and lost only 1, that being last year when our hosts came from being 2-1 down to win 3-2.
Chelsea, in this fixture, will be hoping to improve their current away record, in the Premier League, that has seen them win only one out of the four played so far.
Ref Watch:
Our officials for the encounter against Newcastle United are:-
Referee – L. Mason
Assistant – S. Long
Assistant – S. Bennett
Fourth Official – R. Madley
Match Prediction:
St James Park is never an easy place to go, but Chelsea are on a great run, six consecutive wins and unbeaten in nine matches will see the team arrive full of confidence. The Toon Army will be vociferous and Chelsea may have to withstand an early onslaught but I`m taking us to come through unscathed with a narrow win, quite possibly by the odd goal in three.
Next Fixtures:
Our next fixture will see us resume our Champions League campaign when we welcome FC Schalke 04 TO Stamford Bridge in midweek.