🏆 Chelsea (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line up and prediction

by Olly Hawkins · 30 October 2024, 06:45

This is a massive game — not only for our season, fading confidence levels, frustration amongst the fanbase and hopes of ending that trophy drought, but also for Eddie Howe's position at the club.

Personally, I am a little dissapointed to see sections of social media calling for a change as if he is THE problem behind our poor start to the season. For me, we've gone stale for a variety of issues after an awful summer and a total lack of first-team signings in 2024, although there's no doubt that pressure will reach an all-time high if we are dumped out of the cup just days before Saturday's clash with Arsenal.

On the flip side, I see this as a huge opportunity. This is a big chance for Howe to silence doubters, for the players to show they are still playing for the manager, to reach a quarter-final of the Carabao Cup and head into Saturday's early kick-off against Arsenal with renewed hope.

It feels like a crossroads moment in our season and one of the biggest games of Howe's tenure. Hopefully, performance levels improve, we take those chances we've often missed in recent weeks, mistakes are cut out and that 'intensity' is back in a huge match under the lights at St James' Park

Howe's pre-match comments

"It has been an important competition for us since we have been here and that has not changed. We will pick a team to win the game. Chelsea are a difficult opponent, I am sure they will make changes, but with those changes they will still be a very strong team. We are desperate to progress."

"This is one game where they (Chelsea) could make wholesale changes or one or two changes, we don’t know what they will do. We need to plan for what we will do, we know there are certain aspects of our performance that we need to get right to win and that will be our focus."

"(For us) Nobody is undroppable. Bruno has travelled a lot and has always been there for us. We need to make sure we manage him well. We need to really produce a strong team and I have a lot of thinking to do before kick off."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNewofA_gxU&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited

Team news

Anthony Gordon (groin) could return to the squad after a scan on Monday indicated no serious damage. Howe was coy on his availability with two games to come in four days, but it sounds likely that he'll be fit.

Callum Wilson remains out and it seems this one will also come too soon for Kieran Trippier, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles (both ACLs) still absent. Matt Targett and Martin Dubravka were missing from Sunday's squad at Chelsea and may be out again, but Lewis Miley could be one to watch after his comeback from a foot injury.

For Chelsea, it'll be interesting to see if they revert back to their 'B team' often used in European competitions - meaning starts of Felix, Mudryk, Dewsbury-Hall and Disasi - or stick with some of the star men (Palmer, Jackson, James, Caicedo) who helped them to Sunday's 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. With Maresca's side facing a trip to Man Utd on Sunday, I'm hoping it's the former.

Predicted XI: Pope - Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall - Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

We could use some pace at centre-back - Chelsea exposed this weakness on Sunday - but I think Howe will opt for Burn's experience once again and ignore the temptation to play the far more mobile and athletic Kelly.

I see the back four staying the same, but I've got a feeling there'll be at least one change in midfield. Despite his undoubted quality, Tonali is still finding his feet in this team and Longstaff is someone Howe clearly trusts. Our record with the latter in the side has also been surprisingly good this season, so I think he'll come in down the right side of our midfield three.

Willock in for Joelinton is another possibility, but the former may not have done enough in recent cameos to earn a start. Big Joe is one of several big players struggling to find form this season, although I back him to deliver in a crucial match under the lights at St James' Park, where his power, energy and ability to unsettle could be key in setting the tone early on and lifting a frustrated crowd.

In attack, Almiron didn't do enough to keep his place at Chelsea and Barnes was weak, cheap in possession and largely anonymous. If Gordon is fit, I can see him and Murphy starting either side of Isak; who will be boosted by Sunday's goal but needs to improve his all-round play after struggling to hold the ball up since his return from a toe injury.

Match prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea

There's no denying that this has been an unconvincing start to the season. Despite the chances created (and missed!) in our last three games, there's a reason we're winless in our last five league matches, with fans concerned by our lack of identity, search for midfield balance and recent goal drought.

However, all fears and negatives aside, I think we'll respond on Wednesday night. We need one. Under the lights and knowing the importance of this match, I'm backing the players to respond, take their chances and get revenge on a Chelsea side who did a job on us last weekend.

Howay the lads!