Newcastle United vs Chelsea – 2019/20 Premier League match preview, predicted lineups

Chelsea make a trip to the North-East to face Newcastle United as they look to hold on to the top four spot.

Kick-off : 5:30 PM (Local)

Venue : St. James’ Park, Newcastle

Chelsea have been inconsistent in the first half of this season and despite that to remain in top four means they will have incentive to improve as the campaign moves ahead.

Loosing to Southampton on Boxing Day must have been a setback but Lampard did win away to Tottenham in his tenure at the club.

However, since then the blues have won three games and drew one in their last four across all competitions, including back-to-back clean sheets at home to Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

Lampard has said that his side have failed in the final third at occasions and they need to be more on that front. But at the back Andreas Christensen’s recall have been a welcome boost.

Although Christensen has been linked with a move away from the Bridge, Chelsea will look to improve with him in the coming four months as they look to be clinical in the final third given return in form for Hudson-Odoi.

Steve Bruce’s men though have been contrastingly different in recent weeks with having failed to win any of their last four games.

Newcastle though have lifted the mood ahead of the Chelsea game with a win in the FA cup to Rochdale, Miguel Almiron proving to be pivotal.

The Magpies are only five points clear of relegation zone, so they must look to secure points. They have trips to Everton and Arsenal awaiting.

Joelinton has also shown form and Newcastle will look to raise their game when they face Chelsea.

Team News

Mateo Kovacic could be handed a recall to the Chelsea midfield, potentially at expense of Mason Mount. N’Golo Kante is a doubt.

The Magpies, however, will be boosted by the return of Jonjo Shelvey. At right-back Isaac Hayden may continue to deputise for DeAndre Yedlin.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Hayden, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lejeune, Willems; Ritchie, Shelvey, S. Longstaff, Almiron; Joelinton

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Arrizabalaga; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Barkley, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham

Prediction

We say: Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea

With Newcastle having tasted win recently, it might be a tightly fought contest with a Chelsea side not having a game in midweek.