The first game of Super Sunday sees champions travel to St James Park to face a team that has already beaten them this season. The Magpies beat Chelsea 4-3 in an exciting Carling Cup tie earlier this month but haven’t beaten Chelsea in the last six attempts
in the league.
Chelsea have won on their last two Premier League visits to Newcastle. They will be eager to shun their poor form and lay a marker down for Manchester United, who are hot on their heels.
Chelsea are under additional pressure for a win given they have not lost three consecutive league matches since October 1999. Carlo Ancelotti has been in the news this week having allegedly expressed his desire to quit Blues at the end of the season; however
the Italian has rubbished newspaper reports. Their recent performances have been anything but impressive. The Blues have won only one of their last four league games. A run that has seen them lose their eight point advantage over closest title rivals Manchester
United with both teams currently on 28 points. The goal difference separates the two teams.
Chelsea next tour fixtures after this game look pretty daunting as league leaders face Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal in their next four games. A poor showing in this game will put added pressure on players and manger going into December.
In Chris Hughton, Newcastle have found the right man for the manager’s job having guided The Magpies from the Championship into a good strong Premier League side, but like Chelsea, they are also going through a rough patch having won only one of their last
four league games.
Newcastle are doing well, sitting at 10th place with some good performances especially 5-1 win over fierce local rivals Sunderland. Apart from Chelsea they have also beaten Arsenal this season, but they lack consistency. Chelsea like to play football
and dictate proceedings, they don’t like it when teams get in their face and rough them up. This is precisely what Newcastle need to do if they are to get anything out of the game. They need to take a look at Sunderland, who beat the Blues 3-0 at Stamford
Bridge two weeks ago.
Team news
Chelsea have to cope without their talismanic captain John Terry as the defender is sidelined with leg injury. Midfield enforcer Frank Lampard also remains sidelined, while Yossi Benayoun is out with a long-term injury.
Michael Essien will miss out after picking up a red card against Fulham. He is serving the final game of his three-game suspension and Yuri Zhirkov is out with a calf injury. Jose Bosingwa is available after returning to fitness and is likely to start at
right-back.
Both team have defensive crisis, Newcastle have several players suspended with central defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson serving bans. Coloccini was given a red card at Bolton and, on Wednesday, Williamson was also suspended by FA for three
matches following a head butt with Johan Elmander. Sol Campbell is expected to earn his first league start for Newcastle alongside Steven Taylor.
Player to watch: Florent Malouda
The French winger is Chelsea's leading goal scorer this campaign. Malouda has also scored on his previous two Premier League visits to St James Park.
Prediction: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 2
Chelsea will miss John Terry, especially when it comes to coping with crosses and long balls. Andy Carroll is handful in the air and will test Blues defensive frailties, but Newcastle are also short at the back as Fabricio Coloccini is banned.
On a big pitch Chelsea will have too much pace on the break when Newcastle push forward. A 2-1 victory in Chelsea’s favour looks probable, though.
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