Chelsea Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as Chelsea travel to Newcastle United in the Premier League lunchtime kick off

Chelsea Predicted XI: We predict Frank Lampard’s starting XI as Chelsea travel to Newcastle United in the lunchtime kick off.

Frank Lampard’s spent over £200million in the transfer window, filling his squad with quality players from across Europe.

After an inconsistent start to the season, the Blues’ results have picked up of late and they are starting to look a force in the Premier League and abroad. L

Lampard’s lads have now lost just one of their last 11 games – a loss on penalties to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup – since the 2-0 loss suffered at home to Liverpool back in September.

However, today’s match comes after a gruelling international break for Lampard’s stars, with many of his players playing three games in a week including lots of travel.

Despite this, the away side will be favourites going into today’s game, and have a chance to sit at the top of the league with a win, before other teams play.

So which players will the ex-England international task with getting a positive result and three Premier League points?

Here we predict Lampard’s starting XI…

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy has firmly established himself as Lampard and Chelsea’s number one. The shot-stopper has recorded a clean sheet in five of his last six games, which is very impressive by any goalkeeper’s standards. Lampard will not want to rest his in-form keeper, so Mendy is a definite starter for today’s encounter. 

Defenders: Despite stating that he will wrap experienced defender Thiago Silva in cotton wool, Lampard has been giving the Brazilian a lot of playing time. However, we believe Silva will be rested today and Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger will be paired at centre back. Ben Chilwell is a doubt, but Lampard will hope to field the left back with Reece James at right back, who will be fresh following his England suspension.

Midfielders: Lampard has so many options to choose from in the midfield positions and usually likes to play three in the middle of the park. However, he will have to contend with injuries and players who are fatigued following the internationals. N’golo Kante is Lampard’s go-to man at this current time and is likely to start alongside Mason Mount in the middle of the park. Christian Pulisic is currently nursing a hamstring injury, so will not be involved and Kai Havertz is unlikely to start, but will be hoping to make the bench. That leaves, Matteo Kovacic to complete the midfield three.

Forwards: Chelsea’s attacking line-up is starting to take shape and with the strength in depth at Lampard’s disposal, it is without doubt one of the most feared in the Premier League. Hakim Ziyech is now fully fit and is looking like a fabulous addition to the Stamford Bridge outfit. We expect Ziyech to start alongside Tammy Abraham with top marksmen Timo Werner spearheading the Chelsea attack.

Predicted XI: Mendy, James, Zouma, Rudiger, Chiwell, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Abraham, Ziyech, Werner.