PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: NEWCASTLE UNITED V CHELSEA
TACTICAL BRIEF
The Blues are aiming to resume our superb away record this weekend, while Le Toon have several new Frenchmen to bed in. Former Blue Clive Walker assesses how the game might be won or lost.
Key battles
'The late goals we conceded on Wednesday at Reading may have shocked some supporters but anybody who listened to my commentary would have heard my rising concern. I said with 15 minutes to go that we needed to maintain a higher level of concentration to see it through. We were leading 2-0 then, of course.
'I'm sure Rafa Benitez will be looking for better communication between his defenders this weekend. Newcastle lost at home to Reading recently but that last goal Chelsea conceded on Wednesday would have been heartening to them. We cannot afford to drop our guard like that.
'Petr Cech and John Terry could return to the side and they have shown over the best part of 10 years that the authority and understanding in that crucial area has to be exemplary. That triangle of goalie and central defenders is so important.
'On the positive side at Reading, Juan Mata showed again what a key man he is until he went off injured. He scored his 15th goal of the season and for all the Chelsea fans he is an absolute joy to watch whatever he does, whatever he tries to do.
'He has rare ability and creativity and a Newcastle side that has been shaky in defensive midfield and at the back will find him very difficult to control.
'Oscar took up some excellent positions too and shows so much promise. He could have a field day the way Newcastle have been defending sometimes. The two of them have a growing understanding.
'He was on the bench for most of the Reading match so it looks like Demba Ba will lead the line and will have that extra incentive against his old club.
'However, he looks motivated enough when he plays. He shows leadership qualities and can be hugely important if we're to stay in the top four.
'He's a major plus because of his ability to hold the ball up, so he and Fernando Torres are totally different players in that respect. Thankfully the likes of Mata benefit from both and he links up equally well with either.
'Communication is hugely important. Newcastle have bought a lot of players in the window - most of them from France and we don't know how much English they speak.
'Obviously they will understand each other but you need a common language all over the pitch, especially defending set plays.
'There are doubts whether Steven Taylor will play twice in five days after being out since November, but he and Fabricio Coloccini formed a good partnership in the heart of defence a while back.
'They will probably have Mathieu Debuchy at right back, who's good attacking. The other new boys play further forward, but they will all need to sort themselves out at corners and free kicks and Chelsea must exploit any unfamiliarity.
'Moussa Sissoko is a clever player who has already produced an assist from midfield and Yohan Cabayé is arguably the player who's come closest to reproducing his good form last season for them, though he can be up and down.
'Yoan Gouffran (pictured below) is a good player but whether he will get up to speed in the Premier League by Saturday is a question. It may take him a few weeks to adapt to the pace and physicality.
'One big advantage they have can also work in Chelsea's favour. The home crowd is magnificent when it is behind them. But they've already witnessed six defeats there and if things start to go wrong the crowd effect goes into reverse.
'We have to start well, frustrate them for the first 45 minutes and then again in the second half.'
Squad fitness news
Petr Cech returns after calf strain and Juan Mata is passed fit having come off in the last game with an ankle knock. Oriol Romeu (knee) and David Luiz (ankle) remain out.
For Newcastle, midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) is the only player definitely ruled out.
Click on tabs above for more briefing
