Preview & Prediction: Newcastle vs Chelsea

This fixture has been kind to Newcastle in the recent past, but there won’t be many home supporters who will be counting on a win on this occasion.

The Toon army are beginning to grow increasingly restless as nothing seems to have improved from last year. If anything, the results have got worse. The 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek means the only victory Steve McClaren has overseen as United boss is the 4-1 win against Northampton last month.

£50 million was spent during the summer, but the Magpies just can’t seem to find the back of the net with only three league goals all season. Their 15 points picked up in the whole of 2015 just adds to the gloom around the place.

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will return from suspension this weekend and could go straight into the side, but Jack Colback and Rolando Aarons doubtful. Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote, Emmanuel Riviere and Sylvain Marveaux are all out.

Chelsea still have much to prove despite their 2-0 win at home to Arsenal last week. Their much needed win came against nine men, and it will need a comprehensive victory to really convince fans that the terrible start is truly over.

Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic still have much to prove with the former, in particular, surprising many with his anonymity.

Jose Mourinho has been left frustrated again with the FA who have slapped a three-match ban on Diego Costa for violent conduct. This will mean either Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy will lead the line, although Brazilian youngster Kenedy could also be an option after scoring his first goal against Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup. Willian and Thibaut Courtois are both out, but Oscar will continue in midfield after his promising performances of late.

League Position: Newcastle – 19th, 2pts; Chelsea – 15th, 7pts
Last Meeting: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle, January 2015
Form: Newcastle – DLDLLL; Chelsea – DLWLLW
Key Men:  Newcastle – Moussa Sissoko; Chelsea – Pedro

Shoot Says: Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea