Newcastle United vs Chelsea preview, predictions & confirmed team news as Kante and James start
Newcastle United will look to end their recent struggles when they host Chelsea on Saturday.
The Magpies have won just one of their last six Premier League games, a run which sees them sit just five points above the relegation zone with 16 games to go.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last six across all competitions, remaining five points clear of Manchester United in the final Champions League spot.
Can Steve Bruce inspire an unlikely turnaround for Newcastle or will Frank Lampard inflict further pain in the North East? Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Newcastle vs Chelsea and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: St James’ Park
Date: Saturday, 18 January 2020
Kick-off: 5:30 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Last five meetings: Newcastle vs Chelsea
19 Oct 2019: Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League)
12 Jan 2019: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
26 Aug 2018: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
13 May 2018: Newcastle 3-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
28 Jan 2018: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle (FA Cup)
Aggregate Score: Newcastle (LLLWL) 5-8 Chelsea (WWWLW)
Ones to watch
Newcastle: Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron has performed consistently well since joining Newcastle from Atlanta United in January 2019 but is now finally grabbing the goals and assists to back that up.
The Paraguay international has been directly involved in five goals across his last 10 Newcastle appearances in all competitions, scoring four and assisting another. His energy and inventiveness will be key to the Magpies breaking down this Chelsea side.
Key stat: Almiron has scored in each of his last three Newcastle appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi has put his early-season struggles behind him and is now finding his best form once again.
The England international initially found it hard to reach his peak following his recovery from an achilles injury but has scored in each of his last two games across all competitions, endearing back toward the Chelsea fanbase which had previously been putting him under considerable pressure.
Key stat: Hudson-Odoi has completed 3.25 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Newcastle United
Newcastle welcome back Allan Saint-Maximin into the starting XI with the Frenchman joining Miguel Almiron and Joelinton in attack. There is also a start for Isaac Hayden who partners Jonjo Shelvey in midfield.
Confirmed XI: Dubravka; Krafth, Clark, Lascelles, Fernandez, Willems; Shelvey, Hayden; Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton.
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Chelsea
Chelsea have made just one change from the team that beat Burnley 3-0 last weekend, with N’Golo Kante replacing Ross Barkley.
That means there is another start at right-back for Reece James with Callum Hudson-Odoi also joining Tammy Abraham and Willian in attack.
Confirmed XI: Arrizabalaga; James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Mount; Willian, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi.
Squawka prediction
Chelsea have lost just one of their last six games across all competitions and a 3-0 win over Burnley last time out will fill them with confidence.
Newcastle have wobbled recently and are sliding back down the table — they need results fast if they’re to stay afloat.
However, things won’t get much better for Bruce here, with the Magpies potentially in for a long afternoon.
Scoreline prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea
Check out more of Squawka’s Premier League predictions here.
