Chelsea are on the road this weekend in the Premier League as Thomas Tuchel’s side take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The Blues handed a narrow defeat to Southampton earlier this week in the EFL Cup Round of 16 fixture with Reece James slotting in the winning effort in the penalty shootout that followed a 1-1 affair between the two teams.
Thomas Tuchel and Co. secured a 7-0 win over basement side Norwich City last time around in league action with Mason Mount’s hat-trick claiming the three points for the Blues who remain just a point adrift of the second-placed Liverpool in the standings.
Chelsea’s away form this new season has been upbeat with 10 points out of a possible 12 and the expectations of the Blues’ faithful will be that the players put up another solid display on the road come Saturday.
😂 @masonmount_10 😂 pic.twitter.com/h86JFqosxJ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 28, 2021
Major changes were rung in for the midweek contest against Southampton on home turf and Tuchel will be backed to issue recalls to a host of his star regulars, including the likes of Mason Mount and Edouard Mendy, who sat out Tuesday’s game.
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Newcastle United’s results so far in this campaign draw sharp contrasts to their upcoming opponents with the Magpies, who sit 19th in the league table, only one of the three teams in England’s top flight still on the search for their first win of the new season.
Under the interim charge of Graeme Jones, Newcastle are unlikely to pose a stern challenge to Chelsea’s hopes of ensuring another win away from home turf and remain seated at the summit of the standings.
WHEN & WHERE?
Coming soon. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7olj4btJbP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 28, 2021
Date: Saturday 30 October
Time: 2 PM GMT
Venue: St. James’ Park
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea boss Tuchel had sounded out injury concerns for his first-team trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek following the Southampton clash which the players had been sidelined for.
However, the three players should be in line for a return to the fold ahead of the weekend matchup against Newcastle United in a boost to Chelsea’s ranks.
Forward pairing Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner remain on the sidelines for the upcoming game with Kai Havertz set to continue as the focal point of the Blues’ attacking lineup.
KEY BATTLE
Callum Wilson vs Kai Havertz
Wilson will be leading the line for the hosts Newcastle United and the striker, despite his side’s woeful fortunes of late, has been enjoying a stellar run of form in front of the goal.
For Chelsea who have lost both Lukaku and Werner to the sidelines with injury troubles, Kai Havertz is backed to make an impression as the German will assume the central striker role for Thomas Tuchel’ outfit.
MATCH PREDICTION
Chelsea head into the St. James’ Park showdown as the heavy favourites with the west Londoners set to face off against a side that remains winless in this new campaign and have struggled on all fronts.
Newcastle United 0-2 Chelsea
