Chelsea welcomes Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge as both sides are moving in opposite directions are recent results.
Chelsea vs. Newcastle United: Preview and TV schedule
Newcastle will attempt to recover from a tough Tyne–Wear derby loss with a difficult trip to London to face title contenders Chelsea.
More from our team sites
Newcastle United are reeling after a 3-0 defeat at home against their local rivals Sunderland. In the wake of the loss, controversial director of football Joe Kinnear left the team as fan unrest continued to grow. Now head coach Alan Pardew must try to get his team back on track while dealing with several key injuries to starters.
Chelsea on the other hand are flying high after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Monday pulled them even with City on points, just two points behind Arsenal for the lead. Whether Jose Mourinho wants to admit it or not, the Blues are title contenders this season.. New signing Mohamed Salah is expected to make his Chelsea debut, most likely on the bench.
One thing Pardew and Newcatle have going for them is good recent run of success against the Blues, including a 2-0 win in the return fixture back in early November.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Fernando Torres (knee).
Newcastle United injuries and suspensions
Out: Cheick Tiote (hamstring), Fabricio Coloccini (knee), Yoan Gouffran (muscle strain), Papiss Cisse (back), Loic Remy (suspended), Ryan Taylor (knee). In Doubt: Shola Ameobi (illness), Gabriel Obertan (knee).
Newcastle's injury and suspension list remains extensive with Cheick Tiote being the latest casualty with a hamstring injury suffered in training. Shola Ameobi and Gabriel Obertan both face fitness tests ahead of the match. Fernando Torres' knee continues to keep him on the sideline for the Blues.
Projected lineups
Chelsea: Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanović, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpiluceta, Nemanja Matić, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o
Newcastle United: Tim Krul, Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson, Davide Santon, Vurnon Anita, Hatem Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko, Luuk de Jong, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Match Date/Time: 4 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: USA Network (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
See More:
