Chelsea Vs Newcastle

[Ricky10 5]

This will be a 'must-win' game for Chelsea after the gap on the top two in the Premier League widened to six points after Boxing Day results.

The Blues come into the match unbeaten in their last three league games - the amazing 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day following back-to-back victories against Blackburn and Liverpool.

The Magpies, meanwhile, who do not traditionally travel well to the capital, will be looking to put indifferent form over the festive period behind them.

They suffered a 1-0 reverse away to resurgent Wigan on Boxing Day, which was preceded by a poor 2-2 draw at home to the league's bottom team Derby.

This would all point to a Chelsea win, especially since the Blues have never lost to Newcastle at home in the Premier League, and have won this corresponding fixture on the last five occasions.

But a possible spanner in the works comes as the Blues could be without several first-team players for the game.

Dismissals

In defence, they will be without the suspended Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole following their dismissals in the Villa game.

Chelsea appealed against the Cole red-card, but an FA Regulatory Commission upheld his one-match ban on Friday.

The Blues will also be without the influential England midfielder Frank Lampard, who is out for a few weeks after suffering a torn thigh muscle in the Villa game, when he had to be substituted.

Also out are key striker Didier Drogba (knee), captain John Terry (metatarsal) and Florent Malouda (knee).

But on a more positive note, keeper Petr Cech should again start after he came through the Villa game unscathed following his hip injury in the win over Blackburn.

Absence

In the absence of Drogba, increasingly influential Andrei Shevchenko should again lead the line, while Ballack - who replaced Lampard in the Villa game - should again come in for the England man.

For Newcastle, Joey Barton is unavailable after being remanded by Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Friday over an allegation of common assault and affray.

The midfielder has been remanded until 3rd January following an incident in Liverpool city centre.

But former Chelsea winger Damien Duff should again play, after he made his first start for the Magpies in more than eight months at Wigan.

Fellow former Chelsea player Geremi should also play, although he has lost the captain's armband to Alan Smith with his impending absence through the African Cup of Nations.

Striker Michael Owen has returned to training following a thigh injury, while full-back Stephen Carr could return after overcoming a hamstring problem.

[Layla 0]

On the Chels site unless its a typo which is prob is and an annoying one,they've said Essien misses the QRP game :S

Edited December 29, 2007 by Layla

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I believe so....he got a yellow in the last game and reached the limit for a one game suspension :unsure:

He's suspended for the FA Cup game, the ban is not immediate.

[pluto 0]

Newcastle have good players, but as a team they are fucking hopeless. Derby almost done them at st james' and wigan beat them yesterday after they put in another miserable performance. They are shite. Even with 10 injuries, we'll probably do em.

Any team that can get held at home and almost beat by Derby are in big trouble.

They are in a total mess at the moment and we have a good record against them at Stamford Bridge in any case.

3-0 to us.

[James 5,138]

COME ON Chelsea!!!! LETS FUCKING THRASH THEM

Anyone have strean???

If you have sopcast then ive been told its on...

Sport Channel 2 / SopCast (1011)

YES TV / SopCast (30017 or 22508)

[West Stand Lower 1]

Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Alex, Ben-Haim, J Cole, Essien, Sidwell, Kalou, Shevchenko, Mikel, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips, Pizarro, Ballack.

i would go with a 4-3-2-1

.................Cech....................

Belletti...Alex...Essien...Beh Haim

...Sidwell...Mikel...Ballack.....

SWP...........................J Cole

...............Sheva.....................

Subs Hilario, Ferreria, Sinclair, Pizarro, Kalou

this formation would give us width to attack Newcastle but also the depth and experience to deal with Viduka and Smith. Essien in the middle with Alex because he has played there well in the past. Ben Haim as LB as he is the only player capable of filling this role. Sidwell because his a good holding player and Ballack to boss midfield. Sheva above Kalou cos, if his going to come good.... nows the time!

reckon we'll do it 3-1

Sheva

J Cole

Ballack

[manpe 10,855]

I predict we win 1-0 ... Our past results with Newcastle haven't been more than 2 goal games, so I think it won't be 3-5 or something like that.

[West Stand Lower 1]

anyone know who's starting yet??

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I've heard Cech and Shevchenko are being dropped from the team and Grant has given Ballack the captain's armband until Lampard returns.

[momocfc 0]

ifyouplaytalben haimatleft back hewillgetcreamedby millner,orduff,leavehimonthe bench andpullessien backto center half,andwhyisnt bridgedownt to play hesten timesbetterthan cole

[West Stand Lower 1]

I've heard Cech and Shevchenko are being dropped from the team and Grant has given Ballack the captain's armband until Lampard returns.

seriously??

surely the next person to be captain has to be Essien?!?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I would have thought if he plays, Carlo would have been skipper, but Ballack it is - he is the German captain I suppose.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

ifyouplaytalben haimatleft back hewillgetcreamedby millner,orduff,leavehimonthe bench andpullessien backto center half,andwhyisnt bridgedownt to play hesten timesbetterthan cole

Please use your spacebar more often

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation as follows:

40 Hilario

35 Juliano Belletti

33 Alex

22 Tal Ben-Haim

18 Wayne Bridge

5 Michael Essien

12 John Mikel Obi

13 Michael Ballack ©

24 Shaun Wright-Phillips

21 Salomon Kalou

10 Joe Cole

Subs: 30 Rhys Taylor, 20 Paulo Ferreira, 9 Steve Sidwell, 17 Scott Sinclair, 14 Claudio Pizarro.

.

Newcastle are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation as follows:

Given; Beye, Taylor, Cacapa, and'Zogbia; Butt, Faye, Smith ©; Milner, Martins, Duff.

Subs: Harper, Rozehnal, Emre, Viduka, Owen.

Petr Cech and Andriy Shevchenko are absent through injury so Hilario returns in goal and Salomon Kalou will spearhead the attack.

Carlo Cudicini's rib injury means a place on the bench for our 17-year-old Wales Under 21 international keeper Rhys Taylor.

Shaun Wright-Phillips returns on the right wing with Joe Cole on the left. Wayne Bridge, Juliano Belletti and Tal Ben-Haim come into the defence and Michael Ballack captains.

Edited December 29, 2007 by BlueLion

[chrismada9 1,948]

This should be a convincing win. I'm expecting a win. Newcastle in recent years have been shit at the Bridge, and they're not doing very well under Sam Allardyce at the moment.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Our team leaves me less than confident.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Actually, I have a funny feeling Chelsea might bollock this game up :mellow:

Edited December 29, 2007 by CJ Revo

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Your tone has changed from three posts above to that one