Chelsea vs Newcastle United - Official Matchday Thread

I'm on my Iphone so again I have ripped off nufc.com..
Normal service will resume shortly....

Alan Pardew's side find themselves in the teatime TV slot for a second successive Saturday when they travel to Stamford Bridge for a 5.30pm kick-off, live on ESPN.

For anyone returning from Kings Cross after the match, be aware that all northbound East Coast trains from 5.30pm have been designated dry - meaning that alcohol won't be sold on board and it's an offence to carry it on or be in possession of it.


In association with NUFC.com


Given our participation in the Europa League less than 48 hours before, in normal circumstances this game would be played on a Sunday (or Monday). However, the staging of the Notting Hill carnival on Sunday and Monday resulted in a Saturday fixture on police advice.*

The Magpies are now homing in on their 1,000th Premier League goal since Coventry City captain Peter Atherton turned a Liam O'Brien free kick ball past his own 'keeper Jonathan Gould at Highfield Road in August 1993.*

Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa's efforts against Spurs last Saturday were numbers 997 and 998 respectively.

Squad: Fabricio Coloccini is expected to return after sitting out the season opener against Spurs but he and Demba Ba face late fitness tests. However, Cheick Tiote will miss out due to injury.

Paddy Power match betting is online here

Selected PP Match odds:*
Newcastle to win 2-0 again 35/1.
Cisse to be first or last goalscorer 9/1.
The game to finish a 2-2 draw 13/1.

(NB: quoted odds were accurate at the time of writing, but subject to fluctuation - click on the link above to display current live odds). *

CFC: A neck injury means that John Terry isn't expected to play against United, with David Luiz recovering from a knee problem to deputise. Marko Marin is yet to make his debut after signing due to a thigh problem.

Ahead of our visit, Chelsea beat Reading 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and since then have continued their spending spree with deals for defender Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille and Wigan's Victor Moses. However neither will be in action on Saturday.

Ref: Phil Dowd - who began the season by brandishing five yellow cards and a red during Saturday's West Brom versus Liverpool game, also awarding two penalties.

Last season, Dowd handled QPR away (0-0), Blackburn away (2-0) and Norwich home (1-0), while the 2010/11 campaign saw him take charge of an epic trio of games: Chelsea away in the League Cup (4-3), the mackems at home (5-1) and Arsenal at home (4-4).

The 0-3 reverse at Liverpool in May 2009 was the last time that we lost in a game refereed by Dowd, while he oversaw the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier that same season.

UK TV: Live on ESPN

Overseas TV:**
6 Eren +HD Nova Sports 1 (Hellas) +HD
AD Sports HD3 Premier League TV + HD
C+ Futbol (Esp) +HD Russia 2
C+ GOL Poland +HD Sky Calcio 2 +HD
C+ Liga Campeones +HD Sky Sport 1 (Germany)
C+ Sport France +HD Sky Sport Extra HD (Germ)
C+ Urheilu (Finland) SportKlub (Se Europe) +HD
Digi Sport (Cze/Svk) Sportsnet +HD (Canada)
Digi Sport 1 (Hun) Sport TV Liga Inglesa HD
Digi Sport 2 (Rom) Sport 1 LIVE HD (Ned)
ESPN (Asia) Sport TV2 +HD
ESPN Cono Sur (Arg) Sport 2 (Israel)*
ESPN Latin America SuperSport 3/10 (Africa)
Fox Soccer Channel (USA) SuperSport Maximo
Fox Sports 3 HD (Aus) Tring Sport 1
GMG Football TRK Futbol+
GO Sports 2 (Malta) True Sport 3 (SE Asia)
Idman TV (Azer) TV2 Sport PL (Den)
J Sports 4 (Japan) TV2 PL HD1 (Norway)
LIG TV2 +HD Viaplay (Swe)
LTV Sports 1 (Cyprus) Viasat Football (Swe) +HD

Stats:

Toon @ Stamford Bridge: Premier League era
2011/12: Won 2-0 Cisse 2
2010/11: Drew 2-2 Gutierrez, S.Taylor
2010/11: Won 4-3 Ranger, R.Taylor, Ameobi 2 (LC)
2008/09: Drew 0-0
2007/08: Lost 1-2 Butt
2006/07: Lost 0-1
2005/06: Lost 0-1 (FAC)
2005/06: Lost 0-3
2004/05: Lost 0-4
2003/04: Lost 0-5
2002/03: Lost 0-3
2001/02: Lost 0-1 (LC)
2001/02: Drew 1-1 Acuna
2000/01: Lost 1-3 Bassedas
1999/00: Lost 0-1
1998/99: Drew 1-1 Andersson
1997/98: Lost 0-1
1996/97: Drew 1-1 Shearer
1995/96: Drew 1-1 Ferdinand (FAC)
1995/96: Lost 0-1
1994/95: Drew 1-1 Hottiger
1993/94: Lost 0-1

 

My team -

-----------Ba---------

Ferguson--Cabaye---Ben Arfa

----Jonas-------Tiote---------

Santon-Colo-Saylor--Simpson

----------Krul--------

Too much to ask for Anita to start two games within a couple of days.

I'd play a little bit more defensively than our 4-3-3, but stick to our style.

I believe the above formation can do a job on Chelsea.

I'm pretty sure Fergy is fit, and I have confidence in him. Defensively good, and pace in attack.

 

Is Cisse out?

 

Seems strange how Tash would suggest not starting with Cisse.

 

Krul, Santon, Colo, Saylor, Simpson, Jonas, Cabaye, Anita, HBA, Ba, Cisse imo. Regardless of the fact two of them played in Greece, they are professional footballers, and it's not like they've had a whole seasons worth of work before this two games in 3 days thing, they should be recovered in time.

 

The Magpies are now homing in on their 1,000th Premier League goal since Coventry City captain Peter Atherton turned a Liam O'Brien free kick ball past his own 'keeper Jonathan Gould at Highfield Road in August 1993.

Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa's efforts against Spurs last Saturday were numbers 997 and 998 respectively.

Be nice to actually get the 1,000th goal against Chelsea. Especially if it's a winning goal.

 

However, Cheick Tiote will miss out due to injury.

Please tell me that's a typo?

Afraid not SB.

 

Sky Sports News reckon him, Colo and Ba will face late fitness tests.

 

Disappointing that Tiote is out. I think Jonas and Anita should play the DM roles for us with Cabaye, HBA and BA all playing just off Cisse. As someone else has already said, we're only two games in to the season so no reason Cisse and Anita couldn't start the game. Can always sub them after an hour if they tire.

 

Gutted about Tiote - this is one game where we really, really need him. Seriously hoping Colo is fit, or we could majorly struggle.

AND the buggers have just gone and signed Victor Moses in time to torment us again

 

Can't decide if I want to put a bet on this game. I won my won last weekend with 2-1 to Newcastle, so I am up so far this season - but it just seems so unpredictable this game.

 

D'oh! Ignore the last sentence, just noticed this bit...

... since then have continued their spending spree with deals for defender Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille and Wigan's Victor Moses. However neither will be in action on Saturday.

 

Yeah had to sign by 12 today.

 

Terry out and Luiz coming back from injury - hopefully our boys can cause them problems at the back.

 

We're going into this one expected to lose, we've played in Europe mid-week and they're off the back of 2 wins...We've got nout to lose, so don't mind if we do...Should be a good game of football regardless!

 

Impossible. Tiote can't be out. I don't believe this nonsense at all. Unless the gamesheet shows Tiote is out, I would not believe any more injury nonsense. What happened to HBA is definitely out for the Tottenham game?

 

Wow, check this out:

• Only Manchester City (47) and Manchester United (44) have picked up more points than Newcastle (38) in 2012

Also toon to win 6-1. Worth a punt Shirley??

 

I hope Pardew really goes for this, I can see another thriller at the Bridge like the Carling Cup game. Hopefully the outcome stays the same.

 

Doesn't surprise me, given the fact that at the turn of the year, we were 4 points behind Liverpool.