Newcastle United can move seven points above Chelsea in the Premier League table tonight if they leave West London with a victory (kick-off 8pm).
Not since 2012 have the Magpies won at Stamford Bridge but Eddie Howe will be hoping his side are full of confidence following the 3-0 win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.
United dropped to 10th over the weekend but will jumped to 7th with a win as they battle Manchester United, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Wolves and Chelsea for a European qualification spot.
Howe will be without key man Kieran Trippier this evening after the right-back was ruled out for the next two matches with a calf issue. That is likely to see Tino Livramento, a £32million summer signing from Southampton, come in against his former club.
“I think it’s been a brilliant start to his Newcastle career, whether he’s played right-back, left-back or a wide position which he had done during our injury difficulties," said Howe on Livramento. "I think he’s handled himself really well, played ever so well.
"It goes without saying how good he is athletically, highlighted by his goal against Wolves when he showed his running ability and technical qualities to score. I’ve been delighted with how he’s started here.”
Livramento has made 20 Premier League appearances this season, only seven of which have been starts, and Howe has been pleased with his game time having been sidelined for a year with a knee injury during his Saints days.
Howe said: "I actually think it’s been the ideal introduction to his return from injury because not only did he have the serious knee injury, he had the hamstring injury just after that which kept him out and we needed to nurse him, manage him and look after him, and how his season has gone has probably been the ideal introduction back.
"And I still think there is more to come, I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. I really do believe in his potential. Very exciting future ahead of him.
However, Livramento is the only change we're predicting Howe to make. Here's how we're predicting Newcastle to line-up:
![The Slovakian will be hoping to build on his clean sheet against Wolves last time out. Has impressed recently, particularly down at Blackburn in the FA Cup.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/02/16/53/GettyImages-2017974798.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian will be hoping to build on his clean sheet against Wolves last time out. Has impressed recently, particularly down at Blackburn in the FA Cup. | Getty Images
![With Kieran Trippier ruled out against Chelsea & Man City, Livramento will get a rare opportunity to impress at right-back having played most of the campaign on the left.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/03/10/40/GettyImages-2053532035.jpg.jpg?trim=0,57,0,57&width=800)
2. RB: Tino Livramento (in for Kieran Trippier)
With Kieran Trippier ruled out against Chelsea & Man City, Livramento will get a rare opportunity to impress at right-back having played most of the campaign on the left. | Getty Images
![Schar was Newcastle’s man of the match against Wolves having played a part in all three goals and keeping a clean sheet.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/03/2/30/GettyImages-2053528350.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar was Newcastle’s man of the match against Wolves having played a part in all three goals and keeping a clean sheet. | Getty Images
![The Dutchman is still feeling his way back to full match sharpness after missing three months of the campaign with a serious knee injury.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/03/15/55/GettyImages-1982524138.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. CB: Sven Botman
The Dutchman is still feeling his way back to full match sharpness after missing three months of the campaign with a serious knee injury. | Getty Images