Chelsea host Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon having beat the Magpies 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel looks on from the byline during a Premier League match. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
However, a lot has changed ever since and Newcastle United now has a new owner after the Saudi-led takeover in the month of October, and are currently on their best run in their history in the topflight, having remain unbeaten in eight games.
The Saudis, popularly known as the oil money bags due to their spending nature did not disappoint in the winter transfer window, recruiting massively for the Magpies in a bid to avoid relegation, spending $112.31 million.
That saw the likes of Trippier, Bruno Guimares and Chris wood to mention but a few move to the Saint James’. A win at Stamford Bridge will see them go unbeaten in 10 Premier League games with their last defeat coming at the Ethiad.
Newcastle are unbeaten in 2022, a run that won Eddie Howe, the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month of February after winning three games and drawing one in four games during the month.
With Joelinton and Alan Saint Maximin major doubt for the trip to London, Newcastle will hope they can still put up a performance deserving of point or even points against the European champions.
Chelsea on the other hand might have to play the game with no recognized right wing back after Cesar Azpilicueta was substituted at half time in their 3-1 win against Norwich City while Reece James is out till after the international break.
Chelsea in the midst of a tussle with the UK government over ownership struggles would look to put that behind them as they did in the midweek at Carrow Road, and earn another win to make it five consecutive in the league.
Chelsea have won each of their last three games against Newcastle United without conceding while the last time they lost a home game to the visitors was in 2012.
An exciting contest awaits at the Bridge.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea: Mendy, Saul, Chalobah, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta, Kanté, Kovavic, Mount, Pulisic, Havertz.
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Target, Schar, Burn, Kraft, Shelvey, Guimarães, Willock, Fraser, Murphy, Wood.
Author: Alonge Timothy
