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CHELSEA v Newcastle: Preview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Date: Saturday, 8 February

Kick-off: 15.00 GMT

Chelsea were absolutely convincing in taking 3 points off City Monday and if you compare that to the stalemate against West Ham, you’d think it was a different team. The one similarity though, is that we didn’t score as many as we could or should have.

This afternoon’s game won’t be against anything like the same calibre of opposition as we host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge but it’s important our players aren’t assuming it’ll be an easier game – unless they want it biting them on the arse.

Jose Mourinho knows that as well, which is why he continues to play down our chances of winning the title this season to guard against any complacency – and against a side that have lost just 2 of our last 8 meetings, he’s probably wise to do just that.

 

MANAGER’S VIEWS

Even after Monday’s convincing win against City, Mourinho of course, continues to play down any suggestion the odds of us winning the title might have shortened and ahead of this afternoon’s game, the Chelsea boss says “I’m not saying we’re not going to win. I’m saying we’re not candidates. We’re outsiders. We’re playing in our own league, to try and improve, against ourselves. To try and get the best result against our opponents. We’re not a squad like City’s, where players are in the best moment of their careers, an age of stability between 24, 25, 26 and their 30s, all of them working together for quite a long time. A manager who arrived and the team was ready for him.

Arsenal are the biggest example of stability, of a manager working with players year after year, working with these guys since they were really young players: Aaron Ramsey, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere. All working with the manager for a long time. We are different. We are beginning. On the first day of the next pre-season, I will say, ‘Yes we are there, and we accept that people consider Chelsea as candidates’. Today, no.  We are there because we’re doing very well, or because Man City or Arsenal are not doing as well as they should with the condition they have. We don’t put ourselves at the same level as them. Do we dream about winning the Premier League? Of course. If not, we wouldn’t play. Do we want to be there and win the next game against Newcastle? Of course. But we have not the same responsibilities, that’s for sure.”

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew meanwhile, laughs off Mourinho’s suggestions, saying “I don’t believe that for one minute – and I think deep down, nor does Jose……..He moans that he doesn’t have this and that, but he’s got plenty.”

Whilst on his own side, Pardew says “It’s an important period because we have got two really tough games – I think everybody would appreciate that – but we really do need to put a performance on the pitch that contains enthusiasm, desire and a real purpose, and that’s what we are going to do.”

 

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, there are no new injury problems. Marco van Ginkel (knee) remains out for the foreseeable future but Fernando Torres (knee) has recovered and is back in contention. New signing Mohamed Salah could make his debut.

For Newcastle, Cheick Tiote (hamstring) misses out after an injury in training, Fabricio Coloccini (knee), Yoan Gouffran (muscle strain) and Papiss Cisse (back) are all expected to remain out with injuries, whilst Loic Remy serves the second match of his three-game ban.

 

TEAMS

CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (C), Azpilicueta; Luiz, Matic, Ramires; Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

NEWCASTLE (Possible line-up): Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, S.Taylor, Santon; Tiote, Sissoko, Anita; Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi

 

LAST MEETING

Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea (2nd November 2013)

 

PREDICTION

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine league games and we’ve only conceded two goals in our last eight league fixtures, boasting the best defensive record in the division this season. Newcastle meanwhile, are enduring their worst form of the season, with just the one win from their last six league games and failing to score in the other five.  Before we assume this game is a formality though, we should bear in mind Newcastle have taken 10 points from their last five away games, and as well as beating us in the reverse fixture already this season, they’ve won three of our last four meetings. A formality for Chelsea? Probably not.

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