Gary
Cahill is expected to replace Kurt Zouma when Chelsea face Newcastle at
Stamford Bridge on Saturday Night Football.
Zouma suffered a serious knee injury in last Sunday's draw with Manchester
United and will miss the rest of the season, with Cahill set to start for
the first time in the league since Boxing Day.
The Blues are on their longest unbeaten run of the campaign, but six of the
nine games have ended in draws and Newcastle have often proved tricky
opponents.
The Magpies have taken more points off Chelsea than any other team over the
last five seasons (13), and Steve McClaren's side were 2-0 up in the reverse
fixture in September before two late goals pegged them back.
Team news
Cahill is set to partner John Terry in defence, but it's in attack where
Chelsea could be short. Diego Costa broke his nose in a training session but
Guus Hiddink confirmed he is still in contention to start.
Loic Remy (calf) has been out in recent weeks along with Radamel Falcao
(thigh), while Alexandre Pato is short of match fitness and unlikely to be
included.
Jack Colback (hamstring) and Emmanuel Riviere (knee) are in contention for
Newcastle after both returned to training this week.
After Chelsea, they have 18 days between matches, and McClaren hopes the
break will allow "three or four players" to return from his lengthy injury
list.
Opta stats
In the last 11 meetings between Chelsea and Newcastle, the Blues have failed
to win if they didn't keep a clean sheet (D3 L4).
Papiss Cisse has scored four goals in five top-flight appearances against
Chelsea.
Diego Costa has scored six goals in his last seven league appearances, after
netting just three in his previous 14.
Hiddink has still only lost one of his 21 matches as a Premier League
manager (W13 D7 L1) and is unbeaten in his last 16.
Chelsea haven't won any of the four league games that Zouma hasn't started
this season (W0 D2 L2) and have conceded 10 goals in these matches.
McClaren has collected just one win and seven points in 11 league games as a
manager against Chelsea (W1 D4 L6) - this was a 3-0 home win for
Middlesbrough in February 2006.
Merson's predictions
Newcastle played really last week against West Brom and could have won by
four or five. But, in the end, it was only 1-0 and West Brom had a chance to
equalise late on, so it's worrying they didn't put the game to bed. Chelsea
are a different side now the players want to have a go, they have really
picked up under Hiddink.
I've got to take Newcastle's dismal showing at Everton last week into
consideration though, so I'm backing Chelsea here. Newcastle's away form has
a greater influence than their impressive home performances.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
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