Chelsea will host Newcastle United in todays early kick-off at the bridge. Chelsea heads into the match full of confidence after winning 1-0 over Swansea on Wednesday evening. A win for Chelsea will temporarily move them closer to second place team Manchester United, who will be playing later at the Emirates stadium against fellow top four competitor Arsenal.
What to expect
Newcastle United will go into the match on the back of their 1-1 draw with Brighton in midweek, former Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez will be traveling with his side back to his former stomping ground eager to prove a point against his former employers.
The Magpies -- who are currently 12th in the league standings -- last visited Stamford Bridge in February, 2016 in a match that they lost 3-0 to Chelsea. The Blues are currently on four match winning streak at the Bridge and are favorites to extend that run to five.
Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte will recall the services of the magnificent Belgian magician back into his starting eleven. Hazard was rested in the match against Swansea to keep him fresh for the upcoming festive fixtures. After sitting pretty in the top half of the table since August, Newcastle have been brought back down to Earth with a run that has seen them collect just one point in five matches.
The Blues have dropped only two points since their last defeat in the league against Crystal Palace, and are on a decent run which has propelled the London boys up to the third position in the league standings.
Chelsea are expected to take home all the points and keep their slim hopes of catching high-flying League leaders manchester city alive.
Team news
Chelsea will miss the services of David Luiz, Charly Musonda, and Michael Batshuayi through injury. Conte left key players out against Swansea and is expected to recall them back into the starting eleven.
Cesar Azpilicueta will come back to the team in the place of midweek match winner Antonio Rudiger who will drop back to the bench. Gary Cahill and Christensen will complete the back three for the Blues.
Zapacosta will be placed on the right wing back position, while the reliable Spanish fullback Marcos Alonso will be stationed on the left wing back position.
The three midfield positions will consist of: Ngolo Kante who is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, summer signing Bakayoko, and the Spanish pass master Cesc Fabregas.
William and Pedro will make way for Eden Hazard, who is expected to come back into the starting eleven, while the final attacking positions will be occupied by Spanish international striker Alvaro Moratta -- who will be tasked with putting the ball in the net.
