Chelsea vs Newcastle: Preview

Chelsea entertain Newcastle today and a fifth successive win would see us remain at the top of the table.

Newcastle meanwhile come in search of their first win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and their first away win in the League since March.

Mind you, whilst Chelsea have won all of their away games this season, we’ve yet to look as convincing at home, although Chelsea boss, Luiz Felipe Scolari says: "We have very good professionals here and we discuss games whenever we win, lose or draw. We have a focus for the Premier League.

"After the games that we lost, we show to the players what happened and why we lost. They understand and try to change the situation in the next game.

"If we want to win the Premier League we need 85 percent of the points at home or away. We have a good balance and the players know this."

Joe Kinnear meanwhile has laughed off any ideas of Stamford Bridge being a bogey ground for his Newcastle side, stating: "Stamford Bridge has always been a bit of a lucky ground for me, as a player and manager.

 

"As you would have expected when I was with Spurs we often used to win at Chelsea. And I can remember winning there 4-2 as a manager with Wimbledon, and it has been quite a good place for me."

 

Whilst on their chances of getting a result, he said: "Unless I’ve got it badly wrong, I’d assume you wouldn’t have to gee your team up to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  This is a fantastic opportunity to play against the best.

 

"I used to love playing against George Best when he was a winger for Man United and I was a full back for Spurs. I used to love the challenge. I’ll be telling the players to enjoy it, but at the same time we can get something from the game.

 

"I feel we’ve got the pace to frighten them and we’re going there to get a result. It certainly won’t be damage limitation. We’ve got players who can score goals and hurt teams and that’s what we intend to do."

 

On the injury front for Chelsea, Joe Cole and Petr Cech could return and Ballack could feature, however, Ashley Cole, Alex, Juliano Belletti, Ricardo Carvalho, and Frank Lampard are all doubtful.

 

Didier Drogba starts a three-game ban, so Nicolas Anelka will again lead the line.

 

For Newcastle, Steven Taylor, Joey Barton, Xisco, Gonzalez, and Alan Smith miss out, as does Mark Viduka who is not yet considered ready for a return, although Michael Owen could start.

 

 

Key Players:

 

Chelsea

 

Nicolas Anelka has notched up 12 goals in the Premier League so far this season, with eight coming in his last four games. If he managed another brace today, it’d take him up to 100 in the Premier League.

 

Newcastle

 

Obafemi Martins is a big favourite on Tyneside, the Geordies wouldn’t say no to him putting the Chelsea keeper under plenty of pressure either.

Club Form:

Chelsea

 

Chelsea are joint leaders when it comes to winning games so far this season, with the strongest attack and defence.

 

We’ve lost just one game from 13 so far under Luiz Felipe Scolari and just one from the last 88 at Stamford Bridge in the League. Chelsea have not conceded in 13 of their last 21 games in the Premier League and have kept clean sheets in the last four.

 

They remain the only top-flight team not to have conceded in the second-half of a league-game. Chelsea also have the best Premier League record this calendar year, with 23 wins, seven draws and one defeat. Chelsea go into this game top of the Premier League.

Newcastle

Newcastle have fared better under Kinnear’s guidance, with two wins, three draws and two defeats in the last seven League games, although have picked up just the one point from the last 15 available away from home.

 

Newcastle haven’t recorded a victory over any of the top four sides away for seven years. In fact, Newcastle are on the longest current run without an away win in the Premier League (4 draws, 5 defeats) and go into this game in 17th position.

Head to Head:

Chelsea have taken maximum points off Newcastle from their last six games against them, conceding just one goal in the process at Stamford Bridge. In fact, if you include cup games into that, Chelsea have won their last eight at home against Newcastle.

 

Home and Away

 

League (inc PL): Chelsea 51 wins, Newcastle 44 wins, Draws 33

Prem: Chelsea 15 wins, Newcastle 7 wins, Draws 8

 

At Chelsea Only:

 

League (inc PL): Chelsea 37 wins, Newcastle 10 wins, Draws 17

Prem: Chelsea 11 wins, Newcastle 0 wins, Draws 4

 

Last Season

 

Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

 

Chelsea scorers: Essien, Kalou

 

Newcastle scorer: Butt

 

29 December 2007

 

Ref: Mike Riley

 

Prediction

 

Newcastle clearly have a pretty poor record at Stamford Bridge in recent years and yet our home form this season leaves a bit to be desired as well, and there’s no question Kinnear’s arrival has seen an improvement in the Newcastle side.

 

I guess on paper Chelsea would be favourites to take three points from this one but seeing as they’ll be playing on grass a home draw isn’t exactly out of the question.

 

Teams

 

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, Ballack, Lampard, Alex, A Cole? Belletti? Mikel, Deco, Ferreira, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, J Cole, Stoch, Mineiro.

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Beye, Enrique, N’Zogbia, Bassong, Coloccini, Cacapa, Edgar, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Gutierrez, Geremi, Ameobi, Owen, Martins, Carroll.

 

Referee

 

Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)