Chelsea
are again without defender David Luiz for Saturday's Premier League clash
with Newcastle, live on Sky Sports.
Antonio Conte's men have won five of their last six league games to keep
their hopes of retaining their Premier League title alive. Conte will be in
the dugout on Saturday lunchtime as he avoided a touchline ban, despite
being reprimanded by the FA after being sent to the stands in the midweek
win over Swansea.
"I think it's right to accept and to pay the fine," Conte said. "I want to
respect this decision and also to pay this fine."
The 1-0 victory on Wednesday was very much a workmanlike performance from
Chelsea, who continue to struggle at home. Conte's side have dropped eight
points already at home this season in the Premier League; winning 13 of a
possible 21 at Stamford Bridge - in their title-winning 2016-17 campaign,
they dropped just six points [winning 51/57].
After a positive start to the season, Newcastle have struggled of late, but
will take heart from coming from 2-0 down at West Brom on Tuesday to snatch
a point, ending a run of four defeats in a row.
Team news
Luiz has a knee injury, while forward Charly Musonda also has a knee
problem, so neither are available as Blues head coach Conte prepares to
rotate his options once more.
Striker Michy Batshuayi and the left-sided Kenedy have returned to training,
but may not yet be in the squad.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has no fresh injury problems. Defenders Paul
Dummett (hamstring), Jamaal Lascelles (foot) and winger Christian Atsu
(groin) are closing in on returns, but will not feature this weekend.
Benitez made five changes for Tuesday night's 2-2 fightback draw at West
Brom with Karl Darlow, Chancel Mbemba, Isaac Hayden, Mikel Merino and Ayoze
Perez replacing Rob Elliot, Javier Manquillo, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame
and Dwight Gayle, but was coy when asked if he would shuffle his pack once
again.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won 15 of their 22 Premier League games against Newcastle at
Stamford Bridge (W15 D6 L1), including each of the last four.
Only against Tottenham Hotspur (16) have Chelsea won on more occasions at
home in the Premier League than they have versus Newcastle United (15 -
alongside Everton).
Newcastle United have won just one of their last 18 away Premier League
games (W1 D4 L13).
Antonio Conte's side have scored a league-high eight headed goals in the
Premier League so far this season - the same number as they managed last
season (8) and two more than in 2015-16 (6) in the Premier League.
Merson's prediction
I can only see this going one way. Newcastle did great to come back against
West Brom - but Chelsea aren't West Brom. Chelsea did OK against Swansea,
who stayed in the game, but you need to finish games off - if Wayne
Routledge had passed to Wilfried Bony at the back post late on, it's a
different game.
Eden Hazard was rested for that one, he'll be back here. Chelsea aren't the
same team without him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
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