This is the Chelsea predicted lineup for their first of two matches against Newcastle United. First up is a Premier League tie as two of the sides currently battling it out for European spots go head-to-head in a key six-pointer. The Blues need to rebound after a defeat to Liverpool especially with a tough Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies coming up in midweek.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle in Premier League Clash
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Some suspensions and the international break caused some juggling to the usual full split between the ‘A-Team’ and ‘B-Team’ who split competitions. Robert Sanchez is the number one option in goals but he was last backed up by a defence of the returning Reece James, Malo Gusto playing on the left, Levi Colwill, and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Regular left-back Marc Cucurella returned to action in the Europa Conference League. Wesley Fofana is Colwill’s usual partner and will likely be reinstated for this one.
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Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are regulars of the secondary rotation with Renato Veiga usually playing on the left but instead featuring as a centre-back against Panathinaikos. Filip Jorgensen was the goalkeeper in midweek.
The usually easy-to-guess defensive midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez has also seen some changes with Fernandez playing alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall while Caicedo partnered Romeo Lavia against Liverpool. Cesare Casadei has also come in as the deepest-lying midfielder against some weaker opposition.
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The front four is the most settled area with the go-to selection being Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Nicholas Jackson. They are backed up by the unit of Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics
Enzo Maresca sets out in a fluid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 setup that moves based on the opponent. In the last fixture the team played almost a 3-3-4 as they dominated possession in the Conference League, usually, they’re more conservative with the squad moving in-possession to a 3-2-4-1 build-up before reverting back to their base shape when possession is lost.
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How they loom to counteract the press of Newcastle will be interesting as they’ll likely need to make the most of their midfield talent to get from the defensive third to the attack with the inverting full-back offering an extra body where needed.
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Results have largely been good aside from a defeat to Liverpool last weekend. What is worrisome is the team’s prone defence, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in any competition since September 24 against Barrow, even Gent managed to put two past this leaky defensive unit.
Maresca can be happy with his attack who have proven to be capable of scoring against almost everyone, only failing to net a goal in their season opener against Manchester City.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
The manager will have a full slate to choose from assuming there are no late issues in training. Per Premierinjuries it is only summer signing and development roster member Omari Kellyman who is unavailable.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle
There are some questions over who starts this time around, both Fernandez and Cucurella played on Thursday and had to travel back from Greece, there is some doubt as to whether they’ll be fit to start here or not which could mean the Gusto left-back experience continues for another match.
GK – Robert Sanchez
LB – Malo Gusto
CB – Levi Colwill
CB – Wesley Fofana
RB – Reece James
DM – Romeo Lavia
DM/CM – Moises Caicedo
CM/AM – Cole Palmer
LW – Jadon Sancho
RW – Noni Madueke
ST – Nicolas Jackson
