TIM Krul says struggling Chelsea are “there for the taking” at a sold-out St James’s Park.
A win could take fourth-placed Newcastle United up to third in the Premier League.
And buoyed by the point they took from Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, Alan Pardew’s side are going for a victory.
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“We’ve shown we can compete with the best – we gave Manchester United a really good game,” Krul told the Gazette.
“If you can’t get confidence from that game, you shouldn’t be here. It gives us a great feeling going into the Chelsea game.”
The game is the first sell-out of the season, and former Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed will be remembered before kick off when the Welsh hymn Bread of Heaven will be sung.
Speaking before Speed’s tragic passing, Krul said: “We have classic support at away games, and, of course, at home – it shows with a full house against Chelsea on Saturday.
“What a game that’s going to be. It’ll definitely push Chelsea all the way, and I think we’ll probably get something out of the game as well.
“Hopefully, we’re going back to the good old days. It’s a fantastic feeling for players, but the fans deserve this so much as well.
“We’ve been working hard for this, and it’s there now for us if we want it.”
Villas-Boas – whose side are a point behind United in fifth, and seemingly already out of the title race – is under increasing pressure, but Krul’s still wary of Chelsea.
“We don’t worry about Chelsea, but we do have to stay on our toes,” he said. “We know they still have quality players, and that’s something you should never underestimate.
“We have to prepare ourselves. We drew twice in the league and beat them in the Carling Cup (last season). This time they are there for the taking. We just have to be careful.”
Krul was outstanding at Old Trafford, and he added: “It’s just a fantastic feeling when you hear that whistle go and you’ve been undefeated against one of the top teams in the world. We really had to dig deep.”
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