Chelsea academic victory against Newcastle in October seemingly set the precedent for how both side’s seasons would play out; Newcastle were struggling for survival and experiencing extreme ownership issues, whilst Chelsea showcased their quality to solidify their position at the top of the table. The sky was seemingly the limit for Tuchel’s men.
Fast forward five months, and the roles have completely reversed; Newcastle have magnificently gravitated away from a relegation scrap following rigorous January investment, whilst off-field issues have rendered Chelsea facing huge uncertainty about their own survival.
On the pitch, however, Chelsea continue to progressively rebuild following an abject winter period; if discounting the defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final a fortnight ago, the Blues have won their past nine in all competitions.
Thursday’s impressive victory at lowly Norwich encapsulated their new-look potency in attack, with the spirited Kai Havertz again preferred to Romelu Lukaku up front. Chelsea look far more fluid and mobile with the German spearheading the front three.
It is imperative Chelsea respect this Newcastle team, mind. Six wins in their last seven makes them one of the most in-form sides in the division, buoyed by Thursday’s comeback win away at Southampton.
TAKING A LOOK AT NEWCASTLE :
The Magpies will perhaps be missing their usual vigour in the absence of Kieran Trippier and Allan Saint-Maximim, whilst Joelinton and Fabian Schar are also doubts with injuries.
But Eddie Howe’s men have exhibited signs of drastic improvement since the turn of the year and their form has strangely coincided with Saint-Maximim’s absence. They seem more methodical in their attacking approach, rather than relying on the individual quality of the Frenchman to progress the ball up the pitch. New signings Chris Wood and Bruno Guimarães got their Newcastle careers off the mark on Thursday, whilst the tenacious Joe Willock seems invigorated playing in the right-side of a midfield three.
Newcastle will likely deploy a 4-3-3 in possession, with Shelvey dropping deep to provide lateral support and circulate the ball. They will look to create midfield overloads and isolate the deeper lying of the Chelsea midfielders (usually Jorginho or Kovacic) by both pressing intensely and seeking fruitful transitions from which to create chances.
Their direct approach will be typified by long balls into Chris Wood, who has contested the most arial duals out of any player in the Premier League this season.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS :
Chelsea come into this fixture without Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell, whilst Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and captain Cesar Azpilicueta are likewise doubts with illnesses.
Chelsea should persist with their familiar 3-4-3 after flirting with a 4-2-2-2 in January, but Tuchel may rotate the starting XI given the proximity of Wednesday’s Champions League tie in Lille, which likewise allows the opportunity to nurse the less severe injuries in the squad.
The recent heavy fixture congestion raises doubts over whether the likes of Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz will start for the Blues given their ever-presence in recent matches, so there could be starts for the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also played the second half against Norwich in an unfamiliar RWB role.
Predicted line up (3-4-3): Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Saul; Ziyech, Lukaku, Mount.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Newcastle will come out of the blocks strongly and score the opening goal, whilst Chelsea’s build-up play will be more pedestrian with Lukaku starting. But Tuchel’s side will invariably have too much for the Magpies and eventually overpower Eddie Howe’s men.
