Newcastle United expected starting XI at Chelsea - with FOUR changes and Joelinton decision
Newcastle United are in action for the second time in four days with a difficult trip to Chelsea.
But there is nothing to fear for Eddie Howe’s side, who are riding a crest of a wave in the Premier League at the moment.
Thursday night’s 2-1 win at Southampton, where Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes were on the scoresheet, extended the club’s unbeaten run to nine matches.
That opened up a 10-point advantage over the relegation zone. United sit on 31 points, a tally that would have been enough for safety last season.
Howe is expected to rotate his starting XI for the visit to Stamford Bridge to deal with the physical demand of Southampton and now Chelsea.
On facing Thomas Tuchel’s side, Howe said: “It’s a very special place to play football.
“They have top players, the stadium is quite close to the pitch, there’s a really good atmosphere and they’ve got a top manager.
“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Thomas (Tuchel), he’s done an incredible job. We’ll need to be at our very best.
“It’s an incredibly difficult ground to get anything from. It’s that kind of game where you need to get everything right or you won’t get anything from it.”
Here, we take a look at the Newcastle United starting XI Howe could name against Chelsea:
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
Changes at Stamford Bridge are expected - but Dubravka is not one of them with the Slovakian set to start for the 16th game in a row.
2. RB: Javier Manquillo (in for Emil Krafth)
Emil Krafth hobbled off in the closing stages against Southampton, which could see Javier Manquillo handed his first start since the win over Aston Villa last month.
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles (in for Fabian Schar)
Schar twice needed treatment in the first-half at Southampton and Howe confirmed afterwards that the Switzerland international has been nursing a groin injury. Perhaps this is the time to rest him - and recall captain Lascelles.
4. CB: Dan Burn
The Blyth-born defender is at the top of his game following his £13million arrival from Brighton in January. A strong display at Chelsea could increase his England hopes.