Newcastle United need to get back amongst the goals when they face Chelsea this weekend.
The Magpies travel to the capital on the back of their defeat to Brighton, with Eddie Howe looking for a response as his Newcastle United side prepare to face a Chelsea team that look very dangerous under Enzo Maresca.
This is the first of two meetings between Newcastle and Chelsea this week, with the two sides also taking each other on in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park.
But the Premier League clash is up first, with Newcastle without a win in the league since they beat Wolves 2-1. The Magpies are also struggling for goals, with Harvey Barnes’ consolation against Fulham the last time that Newcastle scored from open play.
Eddie Howe has some issues to address, and this is Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United starting XI to face Chelsea.
Lewis Hall returns to Chelsea
For the first time since leaving Chelsea, Lewis Hall is on course to face the Blues. He was ineligible to play against them in the Premier League last season, while he was an unused substitute when Newcastle took on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
But now Lewis Hall has cemented his place in the Newcastle starting XI, and that should continue at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
He will be joined by the usual suspects in defence – Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn. That is because Kieran Trippier is still injured, while Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are still long-term absentees.
Eddie Howe makes Sandro Tonali decision
The Newcastle United manager needs to change something against Chelsea, and that could be bad news for Sandro Tonali.
It has been reported that Howe is considering recalling Sean Longstaff to the side, with Newcastle failing to win any of their four Premier League games since he dropped out of the starting XI.
It seems mad to replace the £55million Italy international with Longstaff, especially after Tonali did so well against Brighton.
But Howe may prefer to use Longstaff as a starter, and allow Tonali to finish the game. He is a better sub to come on, which may influence Howe’s decision.
No change in attack despite Newcastle goal drought
Eddie Howe was not happy with his substitutes against Brighton.
He made multiple changes in the second half, but they failed to change the game. Harvey Barnes and Miguel Almiron came on in attack, but were unable to snatch an equaliser.
With that in mind, Howe may stick with the same front three from the defeat to Brighton.
That would mean Jacob Murphy on the right and Anthony Gordon on the left, with the latter hopefully full of confidence after signing a new six-year contract with Newcastle United.
As for Alexander Isak, he will hope to improve after missing multiple chances against Brighton. There is confidence that Newcastle will start scoring again very soon, and that will be down to Isak as Toon fans await Callum Wilson’s return from injury.
Wilson was not spotted in Newcastle training on Wednesday, and it remains to be seen if he will feature at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted XI vs Chelsea: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
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