Thought I'd start the match thread between the two boards for some healthy debate, better late than never! Good evening folks, our dreary return to the PL is beckoning after a horrid midweek home defeat to Liverpool for us blues. We hope to gain some momentum from tomorrows game after a lovely win against Wolves last Saturday and certainly expect a tough game at SJP. Newcastle also hope to continue their sublime form this season by aiming to pick up their 8th win in what would be a fitting tribute to the late Gary Speed. Current Table Standings: 4 Newcastle 13 7 26 5 Chelsea 13 11 25 Some brief team news to start with: A positive for me is that Tiote is out, he would've been the key person to prevent any movement in the center of the park in what is expected to be a vital area for both teams, with Chelsea looking weak at the back - Newcastle will be looking to use the likes of Cabaye to penetrate the easily accessible high line and score a few goals against the contenders. Another positive is that Romeu is expected to start ahead of Mikel, I feel a lot more confident in him and I'm sure a lot of other blues do too. Here is the expected Chelsea line up predicted by myself: please log in to view this image Here is the expected Newcastle line up predicted by Why aye Cabaye: please log in to view this image KTBFFH
Can't wait till the game, I think it'll be a good game and I'd be happy with a point and delighted with 3. Prediction: 1-1 or narrow 1-0 to us Howay the lads
Likely line up GK Krul RB Simpson LB R.Taylor CB Colo CB S.Taylor CM Guthrie CM Cabaye RW Obertan LW Sam.Ameobi AMC Ben Arfa CF Ba. Thats what I think we'll pick personally, I'd be inclined to push Ryan Taylor up and bring Santon in at left back. Oh think we'll nick a 2-1 tomorrow.
Really looking forward to this game, just short of a month since we last played at home so we'll all be up for it. I certainly wont complain if we draw, a win would be fantastic.
1-1. I think with Jonas and/or Tiote we could have nicked it but Mata/Sturridge vs Ryan Taylor doesn't look good.
Hard to predict this one IMO i've gone for a narrow home win but Chelsea are a bloody good team still regardless of results,saying that this has to be the first time in a long time we've played them (lge) where I'm fairly confident of a win 1-0 to us.
Think with us it is definitely the case of the whole being far greater than the sum of the parts. People not familiar with us may not think the likes of Guthrie, Sammy, Obertan, Raylor and Simpson are anything to worry about, but the way our team works as a unit is brilliant. See for example some of our defending at OT last weekend. A lot of us Newcastle fans never appreciated what Obertan gives us until he missed a few games with injury. This will be important v Chelsea as we'll have to close down the like of Mata and Sturridge from k/o. In our favour is that we have the best GK and CB pairing in the league at present, and Ba and Ben Arfa are forming a good partnership in attack. Cabaye and Guthrie have also played well in the absence of Tiote, but Cabayes licence to attack is somewhat more limited without Tiote playing.
I worried about Ba seeing how clinical he's been this season is giving me the ****s! Not only him but Cabaye aswell! Colo and Taylor have been rock-like at the back so it's going to be extremely difficult to break through that let alone the threat we have on the wing, our out-of-form strikers won't help matters either. I am confident this will be a great game, lunch-time kick off too - love it.
I remember seeing a stat somewhere showing that Ba has a ridiculously high ratio of shots on goal hitting the target, he usually makes the keeper work. I think both sides will definitely score. Sturridge will get a couple of chances, and from what I've seen that means he'll get a goal given his PL record. With Cabaye, I've seen him live at three matches this season and his work rate and passing is excellent, and a great shot on him when he gets forward. He wouldn't look out of place playing for a CL side (don't go getting any ideas).
Actually you know what, I think it will be 1-0 Chelsea. Jonas has, for me, been one of our most important players this season and without him we will struggle against what is still one of the best attacking teams in the league. Sorry fellas.
I've got a bet on Ba first goal, toon 2-1 but this could really go anyway. Chelsea have class in their squad, regardless of form, so I'd probably take a draw.
Think if we can score first and early on then it'd be very interesting to see how the Chelsea players react.
