2 weeks Ago By Evening Standard
vs LIVE! Chelsea will be looking to get back on track in the this afternoon as they host Newcastle in west London. The Blues saw their impressive early momentum under Enzo Maresca dented slightly in a hard-fought loss away at early pacesetters Liverpool last weekend, continuing their Anfield hoodoo in the process but with more clear signs of the swift progress made under new management. Chelsea quickly brushed off that disappointment in Europe on Thursday, making wholesale changes once again as their second string produced another statement with a 4-1 Conference League rout of Panathinaikos in Greece.
It will be interesting to see if any of that number have forced their way into Maresca’s thinking this afternoon for the visit of an out-of-sorts Newcastle side who sit in the bottom half of the table with no wins in their last four league games. Captain Reece James should play again today after a rest as the hosts also welcome back defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana from suspension, though their visitors - whom they also face in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday - remain without striker Callum Wilson after a new setback in his recovery from injury. Follow Chelsea vs Newcastle live below! Kick-off: 2pm GMT | Stamford Bridge How to watch: Sky Sports Chelsea team news: Fofana and Cucurella available Newcastle team news: Wilson still out after setback Score prediction Though his long-awaited return to training during the international break was obviously known, it was still a surprise to see Reece James in from the start against Liverpool in his first appearance of the season last week.
He did not make the trip to Greece on Thursday and should be back in Enzo Maresca’s XI this afternoon. However, the Italian admitted that he has told his captain that he needs more leadership from him behind the scenes. "I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room," said Maresca.
"He's on the way, he's doing well, he's progressing but I expect more. "Most of the time, a player thinks that because I am captain I expect that you give me more. “No, for me because you are the captain you have to give more.
You have to give more than the rest. Sometimes, I am the captain I can give less? No, no, no. "I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always more in terms of leadership.
" , It’s a lovely day for football in west London, with bright blue skies bathing Stamford Bridge in sunshine. Perfect conditions! , While midweek European action won’t have helped the Blues, they look well-placed to claim an important victory against a team struggling for goals this season. , There will be no Callum Wilson once again for Newcastle today after the England striker experienced another setback in his recovery from an injury that has prevented him from playing at all so far this season.
Wilson has been struggling with back and hamstring issues and reports claim muscle tightness will see him miss today’s game plus Wednesday’s quick reunion with Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and next weekend’s visit of Arsenal to Tyneside. Defenders Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier are all still sidelined for Newcastle, along with back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. However, star forward Alexander Isak returned from injury last week and Dan Burn has also shaken off a knock.
, Chelsea will get a huge double boost in defence this afternoon with both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana available again after each serving automatic one-match bans against Liverpool for collecting five yellow cards already this season. However, it is worth noting that Cucurella played the full game against Panathinaikos on Thursday, suggesting that Malo Gusto may retain his spot at left-back. Fit-again captain Reece James returned against Liverpool and was then rested in midweek, so should start again today.
Enzo Fernandez will hope to replace Romeo Lavia in Chelsea’s midfield, while the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto are putting pressure on Jadon Sancho’s starting job on the left flank. Maresca could once again change his entire starting XI today after making wholesale changes in Greece. Today’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage beginning at 1pm GMT.
Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the match live online this afternoon via the Sky Go app. , Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Chelsea vs Newcastle. It’s back to Premier League business in west London for the Blues today after their second string demolished Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday, with Enzo Maresca’s side looking to regather their momentum after a narrow loss at Liverpool last weekend.
They will be favourites to overcome a struggling Newcastle side who sit down in 12th after no wins from their last four top-flight matches and have found goals extremely hard to come by of late. Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest match build-up, latest team news and live updates - including expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge..
