Chelsea were beaten 5-3 by Spurs on New Year’s Day and that could be bad news for Newcastle, who would be wise to prepare themselves for the backlash at Stamford Bridge. José Mourinho’s side were eight points clear of Manchester City in November, but are now top only on alphabetical order and they will be determined to quash any talk of them looking vulnerable. As for Newcastle, it is another chance for John Carver to throw his hat into the managerial ring. Jacob Steinberg
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stamford Bridge
Last season Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0
Referee R East
This season G6, Y24, R0, 4.00 cards per game
Odds H 1-5 A 17-1 D 13-2
Chelsea
Subs from Blackman, Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luís, Aké, Mikel, Ramires, Drogba, Schürrle, Salah, Rémy
Doubtful None
Injured None
Suspended None
Form LWWWDL
Discipline Y39 R2
Leading scorer Costa 14
Newcastle United
Subs from Alnwick, Woodman, Anita, Streete, Haïdara, Rivière, Armstrong, Gutiérrez, Satko
Doubtful None
Injured Abeid (foot), S Taylor (calf), Elliot (thigh), Aarons (hamstring), Ameobi (knee) (all 31 Jan), De Jong (thigh, 7 Feb), Obertan (thigh, 7 Feb), R Taylor (achilles, Aug)
Suspended None
Unavailable Cissé, Tioté (Africa CN)
Form WLLLWD
Discipline Y44 R3
Leading scorer Cissé 9
