Chelsea vs Newcastle

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea vs Newcastle United


Michael Essien and Michael Ballack celebrate as Chelsea beat Newcastle 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, December 2007.

Chelsea face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Last season, the Blues beat the Magpies both home and away - a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in December, followed by a 2-0 win at Saint James' Park in May handed the Blues six valuable points in two very difficult affairs. Newcastle have yet to win away from home this season, having taken just 2 points on the road. Chelsea, on the other hand, have a decent record at home, with 11 points from 18 games the current quota of points. The Blues have netted 32 goals and conceded just 4, whilst Newcastle have scored 17 and conceded 22. Can Chelsea continue their good start to the season? Or can Joe Kinnear's side dent their title hopes?

Match chat here!

Edited November 16, 2008 by BlueLion

[Laylabelle 9,292]

They bloody better not.

Going to this one yay...hopfully be a lot better then the Burnley game...

Erm 1-0..hopfully more but they've been crap so gana put up a decent performance just because

And hopfully none of our players will get injured in the pointless mid week friendly!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think we will win the game, but Newcastle certainly are unpredictable. Hopefully we can put 4 past them like in Mourinho's first season

[Drogba11CFC 108]

I'm confident. The Barcodes haven't beaten us here since 1986, while we haven't dropped a point in this fixture since 2001. 2-0, Anelka and Lampard.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well three points certainly would be welcome, Newcastle are certainly a better-looking team now than they were a couple of months back.

[Laylabelle 9,292]

Well if Owen plays like he has been latley..no need to worry about him

[chelseafc123 0]

The Newcastle is not very good.

I think this can be a match for Ballack to play, do not you think?.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Were due to have most of our injured players back for this game, so we'll basically be full strength. Only Essien, Alex, Drogba and Di Santo wont be available (So I've read).

Newcastle are still a shambles. We should be looking to increase our goal difference even more come Saturday.

Our home form this season hasnt been as good as it should be. Thats something we need to put right, starting with a mauling of this lot.

4-0

[EskWeston 696]

Were due to have most of our injured players back for this game, so we'll basically be full strength. Only Essien, Alex, Drogba and Di Santo wont be available (So I've read).

Newcastle are still a shambles. We should be looking to increase our goal difference even more come Saturday.

Our home form this season hasnt been as good as it should be. Thats something we need to put right, starting with a mauling of this lot.

4-0

Your right, we need to get our home form back on track in this game. No idea who is going to be available for this one but i am sure we are going to be able to put a very decent side together that is more than capable of going out and getting the 3 points.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

According to Physioroom we have Cech, A.Cole, J.Cole, Riccy, Lampard and Belletti due back from injury. Atm theres been no word of anyone else being injured on International duty, so we should have a very strong team available.

One concern though is if Anelka was to pick up an injury, we have no strikers to bring in. Drogba will be out for the next 3 PL games and FDS is out till mid December. We'd be snookered.

[EskWeston 696]

According to Physioroom we have Cech, A.Cole, J.Cole, Riccy, Lampard and Belletti due back from injury. Atm theres been no word of anyone else being injured on International duty, so we should have a very strong team available.

One concern though is if Anelka was to pick up an injury, we have no strikers to bring in. Drogba will be out for the next 3 PL games and FDS is out till mid December. We'd be snookered.

Kalou would play the lead striker role. He would be able to do it as well.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Let's just pray that Anelka doesn't get the shit kicked out of him then

[chelseafc123 0]

I think we will play with this:

I leave you the latest news of injuries:

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...1462439,00.html

[BlueLion. 21,491]

If Joe isn't fully fit, I can imagine Deco playing on the right with Ballack and Lampard through the middle.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Whats up with Kalou ?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Heard he had a slight knock, although he isn't actually reported as being injured.

[Laylabelle 9,292]

Ooo looking forward today,havent seen Newcastle before and back in the Shed and at the back muhahaa

Better be good lol

Come on Chels!

[chelseafc123 0]

Chelsea will line-up in a 4-1-4-1 formation as follows:

1 Petr Cech

17 José Bosingwa

2 Branislav Ivanovic

26 John Terry ©

3 Ashley Cole

12 John Mikel Obi

10 Joe Cole

20 Deco

8 Frank Lampard

15 Florent Malouda

39 Nicolas Anelka

Substitutes: 23 Carlo Cudicini, 19 Paulo Ferreira, 18 Wayne Bridge, 27 Mineiro, 13 Michael Ballack, 16 Scott Sinclair, 21 Salomon Kalou.

Newcastle are expected to line-up in the following 4-4-2 formation:

Given; Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, José Enrique; Gutiérrez, Guthrie, Butt, Duff; Martins, Owen.

Subs: Harper, Cacapa, and'Zogbia, Edgar, Carroll, LuaLua, Ameobi.

The referee is Phil Dowd.