Newcastle United face Chelsea on Saturday with the visitors fresh off the back of a 7-0 win over Norwich City last weekend - a victory which leaves The Blues top of the tree in the Premier League.
They then backed-up this result by defeating Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are still yet to win a game all season and head into Saturday’s clash under the stewardship of Graeme Jones and still without a permanent manager in place.
Whilst last weekend’s draw with Crystal Palace was a hard-working and gritty performance, the result did very little to suppress worries that this campaign may end in relegation.
Where better, then, to kick-start their season with a positive result against one of Europe’s most dominant sides?
Here, we predict how Newcastle United will line-up at St James’s Park on Saturday:
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5. CB: Federico Fernandez
Much like Schar, Fernandez has not been seen in the Newcastle first-team all too often this campaign, despite being largely regarded by supporters as the best defender at the club. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
6. LWB: Matt Ritchie
Ritchie faces an ominous task against Chelsea’s right side, particularly against Reece James who got himself on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s rout over Norwich City. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
Longstaff’s announcement as a Newcastle player came at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea where he made his full Premier League debut. Despite going down 2-1 on that occasion, Longstaff impressed immensely and a repeat performance would be greatly received this weekend. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: PAUL ELLIS
8. CM: Isaac Hayden
Hayden famously scored the winner against Saturday’s opponents in January 2020, a goal which would turn out to be Newcastle’s last league goal in front of supporters at St James’s Park for 487 days before Joe Willock’s strike against Sheffield United in May. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Livesey