Newcastle United v Chelsea: Squad sheets

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 *Y*63, *R*2, 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 just once 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* Reported by guardian.co.uk 34 minutes ago. ~Chelsea Headlines on One News Page [United Kingdom]~