Newcastle United managed to pick up 1-1 draw vs Wolves in their previous Premier League match and next up they welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Magpies are currently 13th on the league table and have managed to win just one out of their past six league matches which means Steve Bruce’s men will start this match as the clear underdogs.
But having said that, the Newcastle United manager is expected to get back a number of players from injury meaning he will have more options to choose from.
While there’s no major need to panic just yet but the home side are just five points off the relegation zone meaning if they fail to pick up a win vs Chelsea then the Magpies will find themselves pretty close to that dreaded bottom three.
NUFC team news vs Chelsea:
Against Wolves, Bruce chose to use a 5-4-1 formation and we are pretty sure he will stick to that same routine when Chelsea come to town.
Paul Dummett has been ruled out with a hamstring injury meaning Fernandez should be partnered by Lascelles[returning from an injury] and Lejeune in a three-man defensive line while Isaac Hayden and Willems play out wide.
The Longstaff brothers have shown great potential in the middle of the pitch during the current season and it looks like the NUFC manager will once again stick with the pair against Chelsea this weekend.
Jonjo Shelvey is fit and available for selection and some claim the manager might be tempted to use him against the Blues but we don’t think Steve Bruce would want to ruin a perfect pairing in the middle of the pitch.
Allan Saint-Maximin has picked up a thigh injury but the recent reports claim the player should be fit and available for selection this weekend.
But we don’t think the NUFC boss will name him in the starting XI.
Dwight Gayle played as the lone man up front against Wolves in their previous league outing but the forward has been ruled out of this week’s clash with reports claiming he will only return to action next month.
The absence of Gayle means Joelinton will get to play as the lone striker for Newcastle United and he will be raring to go after having found the back of the net against Rochdale in the FA Cup replay.
NUFC predicted XI vs Chelsea:
Possible XI:Â Dubravka; Willems, Lejeune, Lascelles, Fernandez, Hayden; Longstaff, Longstaff, Almiron, Ritchie; Joelinton.
Injury updates via Premier Injuries.
