Victory over Southampton means Newcastle head to Stamford Bridge with the feeling that whilst this game is a ‘free hit’, they have every chance in the world of returning to the north east with a favourable result.
Confidence in the group is high and February’s Manager of the Month Eddie Howe has instilled a great belief in the team.
Supporters saw the long-awaited full-debut of Bruno Guimaraes on Thursday night, as well as seeing the Brazilian score his first goal for the club with a sublime effort.
Chris Wood also opened his Magpies account on what was a good night all round for Newcastle.
With a game against Everton just around the corner however, Sunday may be the time for Howe to rotate his side.
Here, we take a look at how Newcastle United could line-up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge:
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1. GK: Martin Dubravka
Dubravka could do very little for Southampton’s opener after a deflection from Dan Burn wrong-footed the Slovakian. With changes anticipated, it will be a big boost for the defence to have Dubravka behind them once again. Photo: Stu Forster
2. RB: Javier Manquillo
Emil Krafth hobbled off late on at St Mary’s with Manquillo deputising during injury time at the end of the game. Changing Manquillo for Krafth will not destabilise the defence too much and this change would allow Howe to look after his full-backs. Photo: Stu Forster
3. CB: Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles hasn’t started a match since the victory over Everton at the beginning of February but Fabian Schar’s injury worries may allow the club captain to come back into the fold. Photo: Alex Livesey
4. CB: Dan Burn
Yet again Burn put in another fantastic display at St Mary’s and a replication of this will be needed at Stamford Bridge if they are to keep the in-form Kai Havertz quiet. Photo: Mike Hewitt