Chelsea vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner should be fit to return for Chelsea; Newcastle set to be without four key players; follow Chelsea vs Newcastle on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7pm on Monday; kick-off 8pm
Monday 15 February 2021 20:18, UK
Team news and stats ahead of Chelsea vs Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.
Timo Werner should be fit to return when Chelsea host Newcastle in Monday's Premier League clash.
The Germany striker has been struggling with a dead leg but is back in full training.
Thiago Silva will miss out however, as the Brazil defender continues to nurse a thigh complaint.
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce will be without four key players for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Striker Callum Wilson (hamstring) and defenders Fabian Schar (knee) and Javier Manquillo (ankle) are all facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines with injuries suffered during last Saturday's 3-2 win over Southampton, while midfielder Jeff Hendrick is suspended after being sent off during the same game.
Ciaran Clark is available after missing the Saints game because his partner had gone into labour, while fellow defenders Jamaal Lascelles (hamstring) and Federico Fernandez (muscle) will be assessed as they close in on returns.
Chelsea vs Newcastle is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm; Kick-off 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Newcastle and Thomas Tuchel had a big sliding doors moment in 2015. Tuchel - then manager of Mainz - was linked with the vacant Newcastle job in January 2015.
But the decision-makers decided to appoint John Carver until end of season. Newcastle were subsequently relegated and Borussia Dortmund came calling for Tuchel. The rest is history.
Six years later and Tuchel now faces Newcastle as Chelsea boss with a squad packed with quality and one that may have title ambitions this time next season. I'm yet to be fully convinced though as they've yet to face an attack capable of asking them severe questions. If Callum Wilson was fit for Newcastle, I'd probably have had a swing at the 12/1 for an away win. Chelsea shouldn't be touched at 1/5 with Sky Bet but the match result and correct score market represent no strong betting angles in this one as I'm not convinced Newcastle will be ruthless enough with their finishing without Wilson.
I certainly think they'll give Chelsea a scare though playing their new-found brave pressing game that allows their defence to push up the pitch.
Since switching to this diamond-like formation halfway through their defeat to Leeds with Miguel Almiron playing in the pocket, Newcastle are averaging nearly two goals a game and 14 shots a game. This makes the 5/4 for them to have nine or more shots at 5/4 very interesting and even the 12 or shots line at 11/2 should be given consideration.
Another betting angle to consider is Cesar Azpilicueta to pick up a booking. He's been an ever-present for Tuchel in the Premier League on the right of a back three but is prone to a late challenge on a speedy opponent. Eberechi Eze, Ademola Lookman, Anwar El Ghazi and Son Heung-min have all drawn bookings off the Spaniard this season and here he has to deal with the frightening prospect of keeping a lid on Allan Saint-Maximin.
Since the start of last season, no player to have played more than 800 minutes averages more dribbles per-game than the winger (9.14) with 14 opposition players in that time picking up a booking for fouling the flying Frenchman.
At 11/2 Azpilicueta looks ripe for a card.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-1
BETTING ANGLE: Cesar Azpilicueta to get carded (11/2 with Sky Bet)
BETTING ANGLE: Newcastle to have nine or more shots (5/4 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour and Sky Sports feature writer Nick Wright to look ahead to Saturday's clash between Pep Guardiola's Man City and Jose Mourinho's Tottenham, with the league leaders' imperious form and Gareth Bale's continued absence from the Spurs XI on the agenda.
We also hear from Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith on Arsenal's inconsistency, how Mikel Arteta is building for a better campaign next season, and whether Leeds striker Patrick Bamford can make it into England's squad for the Euros.
Plus, Nick Wright delivers his verdict on why Manchester United should be ready for a title tilt, Sam Allardyce's struggles to turn things around at West Brom, and shares his Pitch for what will happen in the Premier League this weekend.
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox