In a battle of the two best English managers in the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s Mags meet Graham Potter’s Chelsea at St James’ Park in our final game before the World Cup break.
At this stage of the season, we’re used to discussing relegation battles and the dreaded pile up of fixtures coming our way, yet we enter this game with a completely different feeling around the club.
Win and we’ll not only move NINE points clear of top four rivals Chelsea, but be guaranteed to sit third in the Premier League on Christmas Day.
Keeping in mind we were winless, in the bottom three and backed to go down this time last year, it’s quite incredible to see how far we’ve come over the past 12 months. Whatever happens on Saturday night, we can’t lose sight of that.
Our midweek clash with Crystal Palace was a tough watch at times, but a shootout win in front of a packed out St James’ Park kept the momentum going ahead of our final home game for over a month.
Since then, we’ve seen Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier AND Callum Wilson earn England call ups, drawn Bournemouth in the last 16 of the EFL Cup and seen Eddie Howe and Miguel Almiron land Premier League awards, although there’s a slight doubt over our number nine this weekend after training alone all week.
Whether Wilson plays or not, this promises to be a special send off for a brilliant group of lads who’ve constantly done us proud over the past year. Let’s raise the roof and hope for another huge win!
Team news
Callum Wilson (illness) is a doubt after training away from the group all week, while Alexander Isak (thigh), Ryan Fraser (calf), Matt Ritchie (calf) and Emil Krafth (ACL) remain out.
For Chelsea, they’re set to be without Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Carney Chukwuemeka. They lost 2-0 at Man City in midweek but rotated heavily.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Longstaff, Willock – Almiron, Wood, Joelinton.
I fully expect Howe to go with the defence that’s served us so well in recent weeks, meaning Trippier, Botman and Schar should come back in, with Burn back in at left-back.
A midfield three of Bruno, Willock and Longstaff seems likely, with Joelinton on the left and Almiron down the right.
The big question is who starts up top. Howe revealed on Friday morning that Wilson has trained separately this week, although it’s not clear if that was to minimise the spread or simply because he wasn’t well enough to take part with the main group. I imagine it’s a bit of both, but don’t think Howe will take a risk on our number nine.
If he’s not feeling 100%, Howe will be reluctant to throw him back in – especially when he’s days away from flying to Qatar with the England squad. With that in mind, I think Wood will keep his place. He offered very little in midweek, but did take his goal very well at Southampton last Sunday.
I wouldn’t rule out Murphy returning down the left and Joelinton starting up top, as he’s more mobile than Wood and able to press at a greater intensity, however I think the Kiwi could be given another start if Wilson isn’t risked.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Mendy – Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Silva, Cucurella – Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount – Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling.
Prediction
If Wilson is able to play, I’m confident we’ll pull off another big win under the lights. We are a different team when he’s up top, but I’d be surprised if he starts after barely training all week.
That said, with just one defeat at St James’ Park this calendar, I see us keeping the unbeaten run going against an out of sorts Chelsea side.
Whoever starts, let’s hope we manage to sign off for the World Cup break in style!
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Chelsea
Yeh Olly. Even a draw would be fine with me. Keep the unbeaten run going and watch Harry McGuire at the WC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also Olly: Saudis have supposedly put 70 mil into the club. Speculation is part infrastructure and part for a player. NOPE!!! My bet is it is all James Maddison!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seems like something is happening sponsor wise with Saudia airlines.
It’s hard to tell with Wilson. Is this illness thing correct or does he have yet another injury? If he’s fit play him! Play him and we’ll win. 1-1 if not. I would go with Joelinton up top and Maxi back in.
georgio(Quote)
With these stories of £70 m extra investment + Fly Saudi sponsorship it would not surprise me to see three premium players in January, Maddison, CF and Winger
PremAndUp(Quote)
Toney scores again.
I’m buzzing for Wilson going to the WC but feel for Toney missing out.
He’s still high on my list of CFs – think he’s so similar to Wilson & would be perfect for our squad.
I rate Rico Henry at Bford too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ve watched Chelsea’s last few games and whilst they play good football they don’t seemed to have figured it out up front at all.
Our defence has been rock solid so far this season & if we can keep that up then I think we keep a clean sheet today.
So it all depends on whether we find the back of the net.
I thought our intensity dropped off against Saints but our finishing was clinical.
We were flat against Palace as well & the number of changes played a big part in that.
I don’t think either team will want to go into the break with a loss so it may be a cagey one.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think like most Newcastle fans, I just want this season to continue & the WC is a massive interruption to a phenomenal run of form.
But as it’s here you consider what 11 you’d put out for England, so here’s mine.
————-—-— Pope ———-————
Trips — Stones —- Maguire —- Shaw
———————- Rice ———————
——- Mount ————- Bellingham —
—- Maddison ——————— Foden —
———————- Kane ———————-
I’ll start my saying that our CBs are a big problem. But of the ones he’s selected, I think those 2 are the most experienced.
I would be encouraging Trips & Shaw to provide that width – as Trips does at Newcastle when we have the ball. In doing so Rice would sit & be almost a 3rd CB.
That defensive 5 should allow the offensive 5 to crack on and do their thing.
Does it win the WC – with the CBs he’s selected I’m not sure we have much chance of that to be honest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We will not win the WC. I’m pretty sure of that. But happy to be proved wrong 😂😂. As for Chelsea. Bring it on. As long as there’s no dodgy ref or VAR calls I think we can win.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Toney was absolutely brilliant today!!.
We beat Chelsea and we go into the break 2 points off City 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Brentford beat Man City at the Etihad! Toney scored twice! 😳😳
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well done Rafa replacing Toney with Joselu and then Rondon 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy?
REALLY!
You would have McGuire in your England team?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpster: you would have 1/2 the Man U defense start for England – McGuire and Shaw. Are you mad, insane, deranged?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Crazy, out of your mind, nuts, wacky, mental?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
To be fair to rafa even Toney said he was not in a good space at that time, I think he went so far as to say he world have sold him
PremAndUp(Quote)
I think he sold him for next to nothing Prem, mate. But with a 30% sell on clause.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The 2 players I would drop for England would be the T-Rex because he has a mistake in him and McGuire because he is shyte and has a mistake in him – plus he needs Rice to protect him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watched Everton Fan TV the other day (Toffee Tv) the only reason I ever watch is for the comedy value. They are going absolutely insane.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
B’mth are beating Everton 1-nil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will say it again. That little tw@t Anthony Gordon is not worth 6 pence never mind 60 mil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have been trying to think of when we beat Chelsea recently. There was that time when Mourinho made like 3 changes at half time at SJP and then when Cisse scored that outrageous goal from about the left half way line.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spurs go third after coming from behind (again) to beat Leeds 4-3. Wow. Hope we win tonight and get that third place back.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Wood starts. Maxi and Wilson on the bench. Olly got the team spot on.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Prem – I kept hearing Rafa was a world class manager. Isn’t it his job to spot & develop the talent of players he already had at his disposal – Toney, Mitrovic & Armstrong all sold by Rafa – to buy Joselu & loan Rondon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh I agree, I never wanted him anywhere near us, but hey ho.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Eric – I’m not happy to select Maguire, but of the defenders Southgate has selected what pairing would you go with?.
Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd).
Of those in that list, Walker is right sided, White is currently playing RB for Arsenal and would be RCB if not, Stones is playing RB for City, Dier is middle of a back 3 and Coady plays RCB – only Maguire plays LCB.
I would have selected either Burn, Dunk or Tomori for that LCB position – I’d have pick Burn & he’d be playing instead of Maguire!!.
That’s not just coz he’s at NUFC, it’s because he’s one of the most consistent defenders in the PL.
As for Shaw – he’s the only LB that Southgate has selected as well 🤷🏼♂️. He’ll put Trips over there if he needs to but it’s not idea.
His other move is to play Saka at LB – despite him being excellent on the RW for Arsenal.
I think Southgates selections in defence is so poor.
Spurs can’t keep a clean sheet and Dier is at the heart of it. Maguire has been struggling for club & Country for so long now. Walker isn’t even fit. TAA has struggled this season. Both White & Stones are being used as full backs. Coady has been let go by his club and is hardly setting the world alight at Everton – beat 3-0 today I think by B’mth.
No I’m not thrilled about selecting Maguire, but they are all questionable & the only thing really going for him against the rest is hes the most established in the team 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
HWTL
By the way I thought I heard on the radio the other day that the FA were investigating Toney over something. Irregular betting or something , or am I imagining things .
kimtoon(Quote)
yep here it is
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ivan-toney-fa-betting-gambling-28419911
kimtoon(Quote)
Burn should of got in the England squad
kimtoon(Quote)
Wilson on bench then, is that still the effects of flu or what. Keeping him safe for Gareth .
kimtoon(Quote)
Schar is in the wars again!!! It took him like 20 seconds.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some brilliant play by Big Joe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This Ref is in the way all of the time!!!!!!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This game is going exactly how I thought it might. Both teams knocking it about nice but poor in the final 3rd.
Second half I would take Bruno off for his WC protection & stick Maxi on to run at them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I took Bruno for a yellow card today – he could have had 3 already 🤑😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Has anybody noticed on the advertising boards it is saying Saudia?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very messy and disjointed first half. Need to up our game in the second half. I feel Bruno not at his best. Maybe trying to stay safe for WC
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think we more than edged that. We should be ahead.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢
Sharpy17(Quote)
WELL!!!
This is fun 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Did Chelsea even have a shot on target? I will have to look it up later.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great win. Messy game but we dominated third!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Great goal by Willock. Set up by Miggy. 😂😄😄😄
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Another outstanding finish!!.
I think Prem called it – 30 points going into the WC break 🔮.
I have to be honest, I thought 24/25 at best when he was calling that.
We have absolutely been worthy of our position though. As scrappy as today was, I thought the lads were excellent in their workrate & closing the Chelsea players down – they gave them no time on the ball today & rushed them into mistakes.
I am genuinely blown ahead at just how good we’ve been so far, and as disappointing as it is we now don’t play again til after Christmas, I can only see us strengthen in Jan and the second half of the season should be very interesting.
Sharpy17(Quote)
BTW
Where did the 7 mins come from?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everton have conceded 7 goals against Bmth in 2 games 🙂 The 60 million pound, player, Anthony Gordon, is on the bench.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Deserved win to put a top pl team on the back foot from the start and I loved that I was watching nufc stick it to a London team in a pub in the north east
GoWest!Mag(Quote)