Chelsea will be hoping to boost their top four chances when they host Newcastle United on Saturday at 5:30pm.
The Blues currently sit fifth in the league, four points outside the top four with nine games left to play.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Delap.
Liam Rosenior’s men ended a three-game winless run in the league last time out, beating Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park. But the Blues were humbled in midweek, beaten 5-2 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Chelsea team news vs Newcastle
Rosenior has a big call to make. Filip Jorgensen has played Chelsea’s past three matches across all competition, jumping ahead of Robert Sanchez in the pecking order. But Jorgensen came under fire in Chelsea’s defeat to PSG, and Blues fans have been calling for Sanchez to return to the starting XI.
The Chelsea boss could keep the faith with the Dane, though, favouring him for his supposed composure on the ball. Rosenior also needs to make a call on rotation. This game against Newcastle comes in the middle of two games against PSG, in what could be a season-defining week.
Rosenior may opt to stick with a similar starting XI from the off, aiming to take the lead before rotating late on if the game allows. But Andrey Santos might come into the midfield, with Reece James dropping to right-back ahead of Malo Gusto.
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There may also be a change in attack. Alejandro Garnacho may get the opportunity on the left side of the attack, with Pedro Neto given a one-match suspension for misconduct following his red card against Arsenal. The same could happen for Joao Pedro, who unperformed in midweek. Liam Delap will be waiting in the wings.
Estevao remains an injury issue for Chelsea, but Jamie Gittens is available after his recent layoff.
Levi Colwill is back in training with Chelsea are his ACL injury. But the centre-back is on his own plan and still isn’t expected to play for Chelsea until later in the campaign.
Chelsea need to rebuild fortress Stamford Bridge
In a run between 2004 and 2009, Chelsea went 86 games without a league defeat at Stamford Bridge. It remains the longest such run in Premier League history.
Even after the run came to an end, Chelsea still made themselves tough to beat at Stamford Bridge. Visiting teams knew they had to put a lot in to leave Stamford Bridge with at least a point.
That’s not been the case this season. Chelsea have only won six of their 14 home league games this season, taking 23 points in total. They’ve drawn five matches and lost three, sitting 12th in the home table.
The Blues have drawn each of their past two home league games, both against promoted sides. And they came from games Chelsea have led too. Both Leeds United and Burnley came from behind to take a point at Stamford Bridge.
That’s become an all-too familiar occurrence too. Chelsea have dropped 17 points from winning positions at home in the Premier League, more than any other side.