Premier League high-flyers Chelsea will hope to continue their good run of form away in the New Year as they travel to St. James Park to take on the Newcastle United side.
The Blues are given the much-needed time off the pitch after their League match at the weekend with Lampard Chelsea boss expected to make the most of it to his sides (Chelsea).
Chelsea picked up the impressive 3-0 home win against Sean Dyches Burnley side, but have been in much better away from home at the Bridge.
Following that their recent away match against Brighton ended in a 1-1 draw, Lampard would be in the quest to evaluate the certain match enumerations even as he aims to build his sides confidence level to avoid such debacle like in the New Year draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Team News
Marcos Alonso and French midfield player N’golo Kante both missed out on the weekend’s League fixture and may well do the same this time around.
On the other, hand Marco Van Ginkel and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Check will continue their rehabilitation with recovery in view.
Christian Pulisic has been out for a couple of weeks due to the abduction injury that he coped up last week.
With his absence, the Blues put up a good display at the weekend andthey will hope to keep this momentum going for the team certainly.
Chelsea’s predicted line-up vs. Newcastle United via a 4-2-3-1 Formation.
Formation Evaluation
Defense
Kepa Arrizabalaga is sure to keep his place in the goal for this clash against the Magpies, considering that he’s put in a couple of decent display in recent times despite his manager (Lampard) irritation about his performance at some point in the season.
Danish defender Andreas Christensen would be expected to drop back to the bench while Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma could form the defensive pair Chelsea will feature in the tie.
Youngster Reece James as really been the outstanding player over the last couple of matches and may keep his place down the right, while skipper Cesar Azpilicueta could be move over to the other side of the
defense (left back position).
Midfield
N’golo Kante may be out of this one as his side face host Newcastle United, while Mateo Kovacic and Italian’s Jorginho could be preferred as the midfield pivot.
The Italian has produced positive form over the last few weeks while also scoring from the 12 yards to set the tone for Burnley 3-0 win.
Kovacic, has seen a limited playing time since the start of the New Year and could return to the Chelsea side with freshness(match fitness).
Attack
Tammy Abraham is certain to lead the charge for Chelsea’s goals in the number 9 role, while Chelsea Number 10 Willian and English Youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi would flank the center forward (Tammy) thus offering the center forward the direct support he needs in the game.
Just in behind the forwards, Mason Mount would be handed the Number 10 role in order to try and create more spaces in behind the Newcastle United danger areas.
Key Stats: Newcastle Boss Steve Bruce has only managed to defeat Chelsea once in 22 Prior Premier League clashes.
Expert prediction
Newcastle are difficult to figure out more like a couple of teams in the Premier League this term. Chelsea may not be in the best form at the moment couple with the fact that they’ve not had the best of memories at this Stadium.
Nonetheless they will feel the favorite for obvious reasons following the convincing win against Burnley at the weekend.
They are clearly the better of the two teams, and, if they can keep their focus and composure, the three points shouldn’t be much of a big deal for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea against the Magpies.
Chelsea Probable Line-Up Against Newcastle United: 4-2-3-1 Formation.
Kepa Arrizabalaga ; Reece James, Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Cesar Azpilicueta; Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Mason Mount; Willian, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
