Newcastle United predicted starting XI v Chelsea as Eddie Howe given fresh injury concern

But the omens are against the Magpies, who haven’t won at Stamford Bridge in over 13 years. It’s also been almost seven hours since Eddie Howe’s side last scored a goal from open play.

United dominated large parts of their fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out but fell to a 1-0 defeat via Danny Welbeck’s first-half opener. Will Eddie Howe stick with the same starting XI, or be tempted to tweak things?

“You trust the process if it’s working and you’re always trying to evolve on the training pitch, we are never just trying to repeat what we’re doing,” said Howe. “If you look at the last group of games, I think we’ve had varying success in different matches.

“Against Brighton, I was really pleased with our attacking output bar the finish or last pass. I think we’ve had 60-odd shots in four games, we should have scored but haven’t. I have been through many similar period before, sometimes there is a reason for it and sometimes it just happen but you have to back the players we have to score goals.

“I think we have some outstanding attacking players in our squad.”

Dan Burn could miss the visit to West London. The defender picked up an ankle injury ahead of the Brighton game but won a late fitness test. Callum Wilson, as revealed by Howe on Friday, has been ruled out of a further three matches.

Here’s how Newcastle United are predicted to line-up versus Chelsea.