Newcastle United return to action after the international break with a Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday.
Here are all the details you need to know about this weekend’s game…
WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?
Having signed off ahead of the international break with a disappointing defeat at Bournemouth, Newcastle return to action by hosting Chelsea at St James’ Park. The game kicks off a huge week that will also feature a Champions League trip to France to take on Paris St Germain at the Parc des Princes and a Premier League home game against Manchester United.
Chelsea are up first, with Newcastle having a mixed recent record against the Blues at St James’ Park.
Last season’s fixture resulted in a 1-0 win for the Magpies, with Joe Willock scoring the only goal of the game, but Chelsea have won on three of their last five visits to Tyneside, with Newcastle having scored just three goals in their last five home meetings with the Blues.
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
Saturday’s game kicks off at the traditional time of 3pm.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?
No – Saturday’s game is a complete sell-out, with all home tickets having gone to season-ticket holders and members.
Chelsea have sold their full allocation of away tickets for the game.
IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?
No – somewhat surprisingly, Saturday’s game has not been selected for live television broadcast in the UK. Highlights will be shown as part of Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.30pm on Saturday evening.
With the game falling in the Saturday 3pm window, there will be no domestic streaming available either.
Radio coverage of Saturday’s game will be available on BBC Five Live and BBC Radio Newcastle. The Northern Echo’s Dominic Shaw will be at St James’ Park providing a live blog, report, ratings, reaction and analysis on The Northern Echo’s website.
WHAT IS NEWCASTLE’S LIKELY LINE-UP?
While Newcastle’s injury problems continue to be extensive, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron should both be available to face Chelsea.
Isak has recovered from the groin injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the last month, while Almiron has shaken off the hamstring problem that forced him to leave the field at Bournemouth prior to the international break.
Bruno Guimaraes missed the Bournemouth defeat through suspension, but is available to return to action on Saturday.
However, Sean Longstaff is a major doubt because of an ankle problem, and Lewis Hall is ineligible as he cannot line up against his former club.
Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett and Callum Wilson are all long-term injury absentees, and none are expected to be available this weekend. Sandro Tonali is, of course, suspended for the remainder of the season.
Newcastle (probable, 4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Lascelles, Trippier; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
HOW ARE CHELSEA SHAPING UP?
Having had a shaky start under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea were beginning to find their form prior to the start of the international break.
They are currently tenth in the Premier League table, four points adrift of Newcastle, and have lost just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto should be available to face Newcastle, despite having been withdrawn from international duty this month, while there is also a chance that Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku could be competing for a place in the squad as they near the end of their respective recoveries.
Ben Chilwell, Trevor Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana remain sidelined through injury though.
Chelsea (probable, 4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Colwill, Silva, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.
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