Chelsea return to Premier League action against Newcastle United this weekend, as they look to increase their stranglehold on the top four.
Over the years, a trip to St James’ Park has proved to be the undoing of so many great Chelsea sides, not least under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, who endured a torrid personal record in the North East during his time at the club.
Both clubs are under new management this season, with Chelsea finding particular success on their travels, but an evening under the lights has all the makings of an upset.
In the reverse fixture, this season Newcastle were unlucky to see a late Marcos Alonso strike squirm under the body of Martin Dubravka and hand Chelsea all three points.
Steve Bruce may be more than just a defence-minded coach, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten how to set up his team to frustrate the opposition. In their win over Manchester United in October Bruce set up with a five-man defence, holding a rigid shape and using the man advantage to prevent overloads out wide.
This system will more than likely be utilised against a Chelsea side lacking incision in the centre of the park, and whose reliance on the crossing ability of Reece James is becoming more and more apparent.
In order to counteract this, Frank Lampard will likely set up in a more offensive variation of Bruce’s system and look to catch Newcastle out via their tendency to commit defensive errors when put under pressure.
With both teams in need of a victory, Saturday’s encounter is sure to provide drama at both ends of the table.
Here’s how we think Chelsea will line up against Newcastle:
