Soupe l'oignon, canard Coquille St-Jacques, sélection de fromages. C'est trop bon! So read the lunchtime menu at Newcastle United's training ground canteen on Thursday. With five new French signings and 14 French-speaking players at the club it is no surprise that Alan Pardew – sorry Alain Pardieu – staged a Gallic themed day ahead of a visit from Chelsea featuring Demba Ba's return to Tyneside. After scoring 29 goals in 54 league appearances for Newcastle, Ba deserves a decent reception but he might not be too well received after defecting south. Expect to see plenty of berets and tricolours among home supporters. Louise Taylor
Venue St James' Park, Saturday 3pm
Tickets £36-61 (0844 372 1892)
Last season Newcastle 0 Chelsea 3
Referee Howard Webb
This season's matches 18 Y63, R2, 3.61 cards per game
Odds Newcastle 10-3 Chelsea 10-11 Draw 13-5
Newcastle
Subs from Elliot, Simpson, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Amalfitano, Haïdara, Bigirimana, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Anita, Obertan, Mbabu
Doubtful None
Injured Ben Arfa (hamstring, 24 Feb), R Taylor (knee, May), Vuckic (knee, Aug), Gosling (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Unavailable Tioté (international duty)
Form guide WLDLLL
Disciplinary record Y47 R2
Leading scorer Cissé 5
Chelsea
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Malouda, Ferreira, Marin, Azpilicueta, Benayoun, Ake, Clifford, Gordon, Nkumu, Phillip
Doubtful Cech (calf), David Luiz (calf), Mata (ankle)
Injured Romeu (knee, Aug)
Suspended Hazard (last of three)
Unavailable Mikel, Moses (international duty)
Form guide DWDWLW
Disciplinary record Y34 R2
Leading scorers Lampard, Mata 9
Match pointers
• Newcastle have won one of their past 11 top-flight games against Chelsea
• Chelsea have opened the scoring more times (16) than any other side in the division
• Since August 2011, Yohan Cabaye has scored more goals from outside the box (five) than any other player in the Premier League
• Rafael Benítez has taken two points fewer (22) from his 12 Premier League games than Roberto Di Matteo (24) did this season
• Newcastle have used more French players this season (eight) than any other side in Premier League history
Read more... Newcastle United v Chelsea: Squad sheets
No comments:
Post a Comment