Chelsea vs. Newcastle: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Premier League Game
Chelsea will not have many games fueled by revenge this season—as a great first half made that impossible—but one date that was immediately circled after the Blues' 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on 6 December was 10 January 2015.
Hosting the side which killed their unbeaten run, there seems every incentive for Jose Mourinho's men to put aside their last two Premier League outings and focus on the task at hand: taking three points from the Magpies.
Tim Krul is set to return, per BBC Sport, so the Alan Pardew-less Geordies should be buoyed between the posts but—facing an outfit looking for retribution—the Dutch goalkeeper may not be enough against a full Chelsea team.
Should Newcastle again shock Chelsea, there are three issues that will have gone in their favour; the odds are against them—but not impossible.
How Will Newcastle United Cope Without Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote?
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If any side could be sympathetic to Newcastle United's current plight, Chelsea can.
Alan Pardew's shock move to Crystal Palace has left the Magpies in somewhat of a state—something Chelsea know well, having had more managers in the last dozen years than digits.
Not helping the Toon's problems is the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Until recently Chelsea were the Premier League side most affected by the tournament. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel were usual suspects missing in January. Not having an issue this year, as Drogba retired from Ivory Coast duty and Mikel's Nigeria failed to qualify, the Blues can take advantage of another team's absentees for once.
Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote represent two of Newcastle's most vital pieces, and they will be unavailable for interim manager John Carver for at least three weeks.
The Senegalese striker—who has made habit of scoring vs. Chelsea—would have missed Newcastle's trip to west London anyway due to suspension, but Tiote's power and tenacity will be sorely missed vs. Jose Mourinho's midfield creativity.
How the Magpies adjust without key players will largely determine how many points they take, if any.
Where Will Chelsea's Full-Backs Play?
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When playing Manchester City on 31 January, and assuredly Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Jose Mourinho is sure to deviate from the open style Stamford Bridge has become accustomed to this season.
Given possession in most domestic games, Chelsea have allowed their full-backs to push forward—something scarcely seen vs. perceived giants.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic, standing on chalk in advanced areas, provide Mourinho's side with width. Often found in his own half, Ivanovic is the more offensive of the two defenders and this has become something of a liability in Chelsea's last two Premier League outings.
Both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur benefited from an open Blues defence—especially on the right side—so Mourinho tightening the reins on his full-backs vs. middling opposition, rather than just "big" clubs, should be worth noting.
Hardly putting a foot wrong this year, the inclusion of summer transfer Filipe Luis would signal problems for one of Mourinho's preferred options. The Brazilian has the ability to attack, but also the pace to recover without stretching midfield and central defence too thin; if indeed Mourinho elects to shuffle things around, there seems a place for the £16 million man in Chelsea's starting XI.
Can Nemanja Matic's Presence Change the Midfield Dynamic?
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Possibly the chief determining factor in Chelsea's loss at St. James' Park was the absence of Nemanja Matic.
Suspended from their first encounter due to yellow-card accumulation, Matic left a noticeable vacancy in midfield. John Obi Mikel was not abject as Matic's double-pivot replacement, but the gulf in quality between the Nigerian and Serbian is certainly obvious.
Able to plan Saturday's match with a complete squad, Jose Mourinho has arguably his most important player back in the fold.
Matic's presence is the start of all things positive for Chelsea. Needed to cover for advanced full-backs, close gaps left by the advanced Cesc Fabregas, break play for centre-backs and give his side calm possession, there is no piece of Mourinho's team which the Serbian does not influence.
Not a robot, however, Matic did not have his best outing of the season vs. Tottenham Hotspur. Rested by Mourinho in Chelsea's 3-0 FA Cup victory over Watford, the Blues midfielder has had 10 days to recuperate after the holiday schedule.
If Chelsea are to win their first Premier League game since beating West Ham United on Boxing Day, they will need Matic at his best—controlling Stamford Bridge from box to box.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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