Mark Lawrenson reveals Newcastle United concern and makes Chelsea scoreline prediction

Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian-Italian defender Emerson Palmieri during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Owen Humphreys / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OWEN HUMPHREYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Newcastle United return to Premier League action early next week, when they take on Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.

Writing his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, pundit and broadcaster Mark Lawrenson backed the hosts to claim a comfortable 2-0 win.

Expanding on his pick, Lawro said: "Callum Wilson's injury is a big blow to Newcastle, and they will miss him for the next few weeks, but at least they have a bit of breathing space above the bottom three after their wins over Everton and Southampton.

"Chelsea look solid under Tuchel, so I am backing them to get another clean sheet here. He is still working out how to get the best out of his attackers, but I think they will find a way through the Magpies."

Meanwhile, Lawro's opponent for the week, singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg aka Passenger, also opted for a 2-0 Blues win.

The last time the two sides met, back in November, Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory at St James' Park, with Federico Fernandez's own-goal and Tammy Abraham's second-half strike seeing the Blues claim all three points.

Speaking to the Shields Gazette ahead of the game, Magpies boss Steve Bruce was asked whether the absence of star striker Wilson would see him adjust his tactics, and revealed: “I feel a bit like that for months, to be brutally honest. We’ve been without our better players.

"Look, it’s always somebody’s opportunity. Can they come and grasp it? I don’t think the approach is going to be any different. We’ve certainly decided that this is going to be the way forward for us.”