Newcastle v Chelsea: match preview

Steve Bruce is keeping everything crossed his leading scorer, Callum Wilson, passes a late fitness test on a hamstring injury as both he and Frank Lampard wonder why they have been asked to kick off at 12.30pm on Saturday following an international break. “With the flexibility we’ve got now, let’s sort it [kick-off times] out,” said Bruce. “We went to Southampton on a Friday night and we knew we couldn’t get back after the game because the airports were closed so, in these Covid times, let’s have a little bit of common sense. These 12 and one o’clock kick-offs after international breaks, I agree with Frank, something needs to be done about them.” Louise Taylor

Saturday 12.30pm BT Sport 1

Venue St James’ Park

Last season Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0

Odds H 6-1 A 1-2 D 3-1

Referee Craig Pawson

This season G5 Y19 R0 3.8 cards/game

NEWCASTLE

Subs from Gillespie, Krafth, Manquillo, Carroll, Hendrick, M Longstaff, Yedlin, Clark, Joelinton, Shelvey, Ritchie

Doubtful Wilson (hamstring), Shelvey (groin), Ritchie (shoulder)

Injured Gayle (knee, Dec), Dubravka (calf. Dec), Fraser (hamstring, unknown), Dummett (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y17 R0

Form DWLDWL

Leading scorer Wilson 6

CHELSEA

Subs from Caballero, Arrizabalaga, Emerson, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Rüdiger, Tomori, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Jorginho

Doubtful Thiago Silva (match fitness)

Injured Pulisic (hamstring, Dec)

Suspended None

Discipline Y7 R1

Form DWDDWW

Leading scorer Werner 4