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

It’s the start of a testing week for the Toon, who must respond to last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton and start finding the net after scoring just once from open play in just under seven hours of football.

First up is a tricky trip to Chelsea, who have top-four hopes of their own and could move five points clear of us with a win. It’s early days, but this next week feels important for the player’s confidence, our trophy hopes and to settle any fears that we’ve gone stale after a poor summer.

A good result at Stamford Bridge and we’d head into Wednesday’s cup tie at St James’ Park with fresh hope. It’s been a patchy start to the season - a few of our big players haven’t really got going, we’re still searching for consistency, identity and goals, while Eddie Howe’s subs and lack of plan B was criticised last weekend. Pressure could mount if we don’t respond against Chelsea, but it also has the potential to be a turning point in our season and platform to build on if we rise to the occasion.

Howe's pre-match comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwf-haZfxbE

Team news

Callum Wilson (back/hamstring) has suffered a setback and will miss our next three games; another reminder that we just can’t rely on our No.9 and didn’t do enough to strengthen our attack over the summer.

Kieran Trippier remains out, along with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, although we’ll have Lewis Miley back again, giving Howe another option in midfield.

For Chelsea, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are available again after serving one-match bans for their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last Sunday.

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

Some wonder if Howe will bring Sean Longstaff into the midfield, where he have plenty of other options now Willock and Miley are also fit again and pushing for starts.

However, it's that third place in our front three that may be one to watch on Sunday. On paper, you'd go for Barnes, Isak and Gordon, but Howe clearly has reservations about moving Gordon away from his favoured position to fit Barnes in down the left.

For that reason, I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks with Murphy or even looks at Miggy if he's performed well in training this week.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Newcastle

Stopping Cole Palmer will be a big challenge, but Chelsea have only won on of their four home games so far this season, following a 2-0 defeat to Man City with draws against Palace and Nottingham Forest, along with a 4-2 win over Brighton.

If we can continue to create chances and capitalise on them if and when they come, there's no reason we can't score a few goals and come away with a big result. However, if we continue to spurn big openings and go missing for parts of the game - as we have in several of our matches so far this season - then I'd expect us to be punished.

Fine margins have cost us in our last few league games. Hopefully we come out on the right side of that this weekend!

HWTL.