Chelsea look to maintain 100% home record as Newcastle visit

[Strike 7,251]

Chelsea return to Premier League action for the first time since losing 5-3 to Tottenham and seeing their three-point lead at the top cut down. Their opponents Newcastle, make the long trip south, without a permanent manager in charge after Alan Pardew took over as manager of Crystal Palace.

Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: 10-01-2015 Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Chelsea

The Blues have struggled in the Premier League of late but none of those troubles seem to affect them at home. Chelsea have a 100% record at home conceding only 3 times. The Blues currently sit at the top of the Premier League table but, with the same number of points and goal difference as nearest title rivals Manchester City, and pressure will be on them to do better this weekend than Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Man City play Everton at Goodison Park at the same time Chelsea kick-off.

Chelsea have no injury concerns. John Terry, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas are expected to return after being rested in the FA Cup game against Watford.

Form: WLDWW

Team: Courtois; Azpilicueta Cahill Terry Luis; Matic Fabregas; Willian Oscar Hazard; Costa

Newcastle

Newcastle were the first team to beat Chelsea this season, winning 2-1 at St. James Park in December. The win made it three consecutive home league successes against Chelsea but it is different story on their travels to west London. The Tyneside club have earned just one league victory at Stamford Bridge since 1986, that one coming at the end of the 2011-12 season when Papiss Cisse scored both goals.

Cisse however is away on African Nations Cup duty along with Cheick Tiote and is set to miss this game. To add to that, Newcastle have a long injury list. Rob Elliot (thigh) is still out, along with Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Mehdi Abeid (toe), Ryan Taylor (knee), Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Siem de Jong and Gabriel Obertan (both thigh).

But they could welcome back Tim Krul, their first choice keeper, after he played in a closed-doors friendly on Thursday. Jack Colback and Moussa Sissoko are both set to return after recovering from hamstring problems.

Form: LDWLL

Team: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Colback Anita; Sissoko, Gouffran Ameobi; Perez

Referee: Roger East Assistants: J Collin, M Scholes Fourth Official: M Jones

Stats and Facts

Newcastle have won four of their last six league matches against Chelsea, but both their defeats came in their last two meetings at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle have scored more goals from substitutes than any other team in the top flight (eight), including Papiss Cisse's double in their victory over Chelsea last month.

The Magpies have lost four successive matches away from home in all competitions.

The only time Chelsea have lost their first two Premier League fixtures in a calendar year was in 1993.

Cesc Fabregas now has more Premier League assists this season (14) than any player managed last term (Highest - Steven Gerrard 13)

Odds

Chelsea – 1/6

Draw – 6/1

Newcastle – 16/1

Live Coverage

Australia – Fox Sports

USA – NBC Sports Live Extra

South Africa – Supersport 5 Africa

[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[CMS 382]

Bring it on. I'm pumped for this game, I don't know why.

[Nero 1,847]

fabregas <3

[OhMalouda 10]

We can't let any points slip from now on, reckon we should win this one.