pardew
Reuters

Newcastle host Chelsea at St.James' Park as Jose Mourinho's men look to top the table, taking advantage of an early kick-off.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 12:45pm GMT. Live coverage will be available on BT Sport 1. Live radio commentary is available on BBC 5 Live.

Overview

Newcastle have an enviable record against Mourinho's men at home, with Chelsea having taken only two points from their visits to Tyneside under Mourinho. This will be a major test for Alan Pardew whose side lost 2-1 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in their previous league fixture. He will be hoping for some sort of retaliation from his men against the league favourites.

However, Newcastle have won only once in their last five Premier League fixtures and have a disappointing record at home, having taken only three points from their home games so far. A win here will do their confidence a world of good and may spur them to greater things.

Chelsea come into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Capital One Cup but know that the Premier League is a different proposition. A win here will take the Blues temporarily into pole position which may change depending on the later results of Arsenal's game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Fernando Torres' last-gasp goal after Joe Hart's clanger in their game against Manchester City gave Mourinho three crucial points last weekend as the race at the top of the table heats up.

What the Managers Say

Alan Pardew: "'He doesn't want to be jumping round me because I'll give him a slap. I'm bigger than him and he knows that. He can jump around in the crowd or whatever he does."

Jose Mourinho: "We know we have one of our most difficult matches of the season but we will try. Going top is not important. It's important to go in the right direction and we feel we are improving - the quality of our game is good, the results at the moment are fantastic."

Form Guide

Newcastle

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L L D W L
  • Last Result Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City

Chelsea

  • Last Five (all competitions, mot recent first): W W W W W
  • Last Result: Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea

Team News

Newcastle

  • Injured: Fabricio Coloccini (groin), Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor (both hamstring), Jonas Gutiérrez (personal reasons), Ryan Taylor (knee).
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Santon; Tioté, Sissoko, Cabaye; Ben Arfa, Sh Ameobi, Rémy.

Chelsea

  • Injured: Marco van Ginkel (knee)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Probable Line-Up: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.