St James' Park was packed to the rafters and sent into raptures in the 94th minute when Newcastle United last faced Chelsea.
Isaac Hayden secured all three points with a later winner which was jubilantly celebrated on the terraces and handed Steve Bruce an important victory.
Newcastle boast a strong home record against Chelsea in recent years, with only one defeat in their last five home meetings.
With the Blues short of several key players after the international break, Saturday could prove the right moment for the Magpies to extend that run but they will need a better performance than their last Premier League outing, which ended in a 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
Regardless, St James' Park will feel a lot more hollow without supporters, whether Newcastle win, lose or draw.
Speaking about the impact of no crowd this week, Lampard said: I am not sure (it will be easier without) about the fans.
"I don't know the answer to the fans one for any game, let alone the Newcastle one.
"Sometimes home fans can bring pressure to the team that wants to play counter-attacking football and then they can't do so I am not sure about the fans. I do know that Newcastle is always a very difficult game.
"I played in those games and they were always very difficult."
BT Sport presenter Jake Humphreys summed up the absence of Newcastle fans with a touching video that left supporters misty-eyed before kick-off.
Newcastle fans will have a keen eye on the team news at 11:30am to see if Miguel Almiron is involved after his agent caused a stir during the international break claiming his client wants to leave the club.
There will also be an anxious wait to see if Callum Wilson is passed fit.
