The team sheets are in at St James’ Park, where Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United prepare to face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in a meeting of two clubs battling recent inconsistencies.
Our last three games have featured a Champions League draw in Leverkusen, that damaging defeat at Sunderland last Sunday and a Carabao Cup win over Fulham in midweek. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won two, lost two and drawn two of their last six in all competitions, drawing at 0-0 Bournemouth and losing 3-1 at Leeds in their most recent league games on the road.
A big game awaits and this is how the two sides line up as we approach kick-off at 12.30…
**Newcastle XI:** Ramsdale – Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall – Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey– Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
**Substitutes:** Ruddy, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Willock, A Murphy, Neave, Shahar.
**Chelsea XI:** Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.
Howe has made four changes from Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Fulham in the Carabao Cup, with Woltemade, Gordon, Tonali and Hall replacing Wissa, Barnes, Willock and Livramento.
Nick Pope isn’t in the squad once again, but it’s a relief that Hall is fit enough to start.
As expected, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Will Osula and Jamaal Lascelles absent once again.
Howay the lads!