Saturday’s Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC is a match up of two sides fighting hard for two very different qualifications. The Blues, level on points with fourth place Leicester City but behind on goal differential, are knocking on the door of the top four.
They’ll host the Magpies who are looking to keep their heads above the relegation waters. Fresh off a victory over Manchester United, they should have a fair amount of confidence when they head to west London. Let’s run through the team news for both sides.
The international break was cruel to the Blues, but hey, it could have been much worse.
They will be without the services of central defender Andreas Christensen (groin injury picked up while on duty with Denmark) and holding midfielder Mateo Kovacic (knock suffered while playing for Croatia against Wales) on Saturday.
Midfield maestro N’Golo Kante withdrew from the French side because of an adductor muscle issue, but he’s fit for this match, as France manager Didier Deschamps provided an update on the problem, which wasn’t severe, a few days ago.
Then you have the situation with Christian Pulisic.
He vowed to not let his troublesome stint with the club carry over to international duty with the United States, but both he and the team were certainly off in the 2-0 loss to Canada Tuesday night, the first time the USMNT lost to their northern neighbors since 1985.
Pulisic was subbed off in the 60′ due to flu like symptoms, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be over the flu in time for this match, if he were to even be selected for the match day squad at all.
As for the visitors, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has pretty much a fully fit squad to select from this weekend.
Chelsea FC vs Newcastle United FYIs
Kickoff: Oct. 19, 3pm Stamford Bridge
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Form Guide: Chelsea WWLWD Newcastle United WLDLD
Referee: Andre Marriner
Google’s result probability: 74% Chelsea FC win, 17% Draw, 9% Newcastle United victory
Prediction: Chelsea FC 2, Newcastle United 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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