It’s matchday 13 in the Premier League and club football returns after a two-week international break. The league action resumes this weekend and it’s an exciting encounter to look forward to at Tyneside as Newcastle United host Chelsea this afternoon. The hosts who entered the international break on the back of two back-to-back 2-0 defeats at the hands of Borussia Dortmund and AFC Bournemouth are facing an injury crisis as Eddie Howe would have been relieved with the timing of the international break as it helped the Magpies focus on recovering their first team players ahead of an intense game against the energetic Blues.
Mauricio Pochettino would have on the other hand not wanted the international break as the Blues were in electric form having scored 8 goals in the 2 games before the break. A thumping 4-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur and a thrilling 4-4 draw against the champions Manchester City had got the Blues back on track after a slow start to their campaign. The West London side won just four of their opening 12 games at the start of the season but have now tasted defeat just once in their last 8 games which will be good news for Pochettino and Co. who have had their own share of injury crisis right from pre-season to cope up with.
An entertaining game to look forward to as the Magpies will look to push towards the top 4 as they currently sit 6 points off 4th place in 7th position while Chelsea would want to continue their red hot form as they look to close the gap between themselves and the Champions League places which currently stands at 10 points.
When and Where?
Date: 25th November, 2023.
Time: 3:00 PM BST
Venue: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
Match Officials
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Jeremy Simpson.
VAR: John Brooks.
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies.
Team News
The hosts have a lengthy injury list as Eddie Howe will be without Callum Wilson, Matt Targett, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Sandro Tonali and Javier Manquillo for the game against the Blues. Sandro Tonali remains suspended and will not be eligible to play while Lewis Hall also is ineligible to play against his parent club. There is some positive news for the Magpies faithful though as Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar both stepped up their recovery during the break and are fit to play this weekend. Bruno Guimares will also be back in the starting XI having served his one match suspension.
Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that new summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are inching closer to being available as they took part in team training during the course of the international break as the duo are yet to make their league debuts for the Blues. Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher are also fit to start at the weekend as the trio have recovered from their minor injuries. Moises Caicedo is a doubt as the Colombian was the last player to arrive from his national team duties though it’s unlikely he will be dropped by Pochettino given his excellent form in the middle of the park alongside his South American compatriot Enzo Fernandez.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke will both be pushing for a start having impressed in the international break for their countries. Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah and Ben Chilwell are all unavailable due to long-term injuries.
Match Analysis
Newcastle United haven’t looked in great form, particularly in their last 8 games as the Magpies have won just thrice, drawn twice and suffered 3 losses in all competitions. The challenge of competing in 4 competitions this season particularly with Champions League football has been difficult for Eddie Howe to manage his squad as recurring injuries to key first-team players has tested their thin squad depth this season. Despite having atleast two players in each position to be able to keep the players fresh and fit, the gruelling schedule with intense matches in Europe seems to have costed the Magpies dearly.
Howe’s side boasts of a great record at home against the Blues and will want to count on it at the weekend too as they have won 13 times against the Blues at home. It will be a challenge for them to cope with the injuries but the presence of the home crowd behind them will be a huge boost for Newcastle to test Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino will relish the opportunity of playing a rather weakened Newcastle United but will not be on the touchline to help his team as he serves a touchline ban having picked up 3 yellow cards already. The Argentine’s right-hand man Jesus Perez will deputize and lead the Blues from the touchline.
It looks like the Blues have finally found their mojo and look like a force to be reckoned with as their performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have really silenced their critics. Pochettino looks to have found the right balance in his starting XI and his intense pressing to win the ball in the final third has led to the Blues creating more chances for themselves to score. They have now scored 20 goals in their last 8 matches compared to the 7 goals they scored in the first 8 matches of the campaign.
Raheem Sterling finding his form and Cole Palmer being the creative brain of the attack behind the hardworking Nicolas Jackson whose relentless pressing has been a huge asset to the Blues intense style of play have all been vital for the Blues.
They will hope to continue this good form against the Magpies this weekend as both the teams would want to take 3 points to continue their pursuit of Champions League football for next season. Newcastle United face Manchester United, PSG, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan in the next weeks and face a tiring schedule which is a huge headache for Eddie Howe to keep his side’s fitness levels in check.
Key Players
Cole Palmer
The Englishman has been the standout performer for the Blues in recent weeks and has become an instant fan favourite. He also got his first England senior call up this international break and has now played for all age groups for his country. His creativity and understanding of space something which he learnt during his time at Manchester City are all coming of good use at his new club as Pochettino has a real gem at his disposal to develop.
That 94th minute equalizing penalty against his boyhood club Manchester City makes it 4 goals and 4 assists in 12 appearances for the Blues while also being involved in 6 goals in the last 5 consecutive matches. The 45 million price tag looks justified and he will be a player to look out for against a rather depleted Newcastle United defence.
Miguel Almiron
The Paraguayan’s return in the international break will be a huge sigh of relief for Eddie Howe. With very little options to choose from in attack after injuries to Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes it’ll be Almiron’s responsibility to spearhead the Newcastle attack at the weekend alongside Anthony Gordon. His season has been disrupted by injuries having scored just 4 goals in all competitions so far. He has stepped up against the big teams in the past and the Toon Army will be hoping for the same against the Blues who have conceded 5 goals in their last 2 games.
Predicted XIs
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Livramento, Guimares, Longstaff, Willock, Almiron, Gordon, Joelinton.
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill, Gallagher, Enzo, Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson.
