Loïc Rémy is expected to start for Chelsea against the club where he enjoyed a fruitful loan spell in 2013-14 as Diego Costa continues his suspension following last week’s contretemps against Arsenal. Newcastle’s beleaguered manager, Steve McClaren, would dearly love to have Rémy available to him as his side continue to struggle for goals, a situation not helped by Papiss Cissé’s injury. Aleksandar Mitrovic is back after a ban of his own and will lead the home attack in place of Cissé – if the fiesty Serb can keep his temper under control, he has the potential talent to ease the pressure on McClaren. Rich Flower
Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 1
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G6, Y29, R0, 4.83 cards per game
Odds H 5-1 A 8-13 D 3-1
Newcastle United
Subs from Elliot, Williamson, Anita, De Jong, Ferguson, Bigirimana, Toney, Satka, Mbabu, Aarons, Lascelles
Doubtful Aarons (calf), Colback (calf), Haïdara (knee)
Injured Darlow (ankle, 3 Oct), Dummett (hamstring, 3 Oct), Tioté (knee, 3 Oct), Marveaux (groin, 3 Oct), Cissé (back, 18 Oct), Good (thigh, 18 Oct), Rivière (knee, 18 Oct), Taylor (hamstring, Dec)
Suspended None
Form DLDLLL
Discipline Y15 R2
Leading scorers Cissé, Janmaat, Wijnaldum 1
Chelsea
Subs from Beeney, Blackman, Rahman, Falcao, Ramires, Djilobodji, Kenedy, Willian, Terry, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Aina, Traoré
Doubtful Willian (hamstring)
Injured Courtois (knee, Nov)
Suspended Costa (second of three)
Form DLWLLW
Discipline Y10 R2
Leading scorers Azpilicueta, Costa, Falcao, Matic, Oscar, Pedro, Zouma 1
