Chelsea put in a far more convincing home performance against Burnley last weekend which would have pleased manager Frank Lampard after their recent difficulties at Stamford Bridge.

The club’s away form, though, has been very good, and the Blues will head into Saturday’s clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park full of confidence.

N’Golo Kante is still a doubt with the hamstring issue that kept him out of the Burnley win, while Marcos Alonso’s participation is still in question due to a muscular problem.

Christian Pulisic (tendon), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) and Marco van Ginkel (knee) have all been ruled out for the match.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says the injury crisis at the Magpies is the worst he has ever seen in his time in football. He has no less than 13 players who are struggling with fitness problems.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles should be fit after recovering from a cracked tibia, while Joelinton (groin), Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring), Deandre Yedlin (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring), Ki Sung-Yeung (knock), Yoshinori Muto (hip) and Fabian Schar (hamstring) are doubts.

Javier Manquillo (hamstring), Jack Colback (knee), Dwight Gayle (thigh), Emil Krafth (knock) and Paul Dummett (hamstring) are all unavailable.

The bookmakers have made Chelsea firm favourites with Sky Bet pricing them at 8/15 to win. A draw is 15/4 with Unibet while a Newcastle victory is currently 11/2 at William Hill.

Predicted Score – 3-1 to Chelsea