This evening, Stamford Bridge will welcome a Newcastle side that sit below Chelsea in the table and in a relegation scrap. The Magpies haven’t got the best record at Chelsea which could prompt Hiddink into playing a rotated side, with a trip to Paris only three days away. Chelsea’s Dutch manager may consider a few squad players in the line up today; so here is my Predicted XI
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois: The Belgian had a sublime game against Manchester United, keeping us in the game for the whole 90 minutes and was a key figure that got us a draw on that day. It is almost guaranteed that Thibaut starts this evening unless he gets an injury in the warm up.
Defenders
RB – Cesar Azpilicueta: I thought I would go slightly different this week, putting Azpilicueta back into his natural position, giving a rest to Branislav Ivanovic, who may be a key figure against PSG midweek.
CB – Gary Cahill & John Terry: After the devastating injury that Kurt Zouma picked up last weekend, Gary Cahill will resume the role that he became a key figure in last season as we won the league. The Englishman has been second fiddle to Zouma this season, and will hope to regain his place for the Euros as Zouma is out for the rest of the season. John Terry will be his partner in crime and will remain professional throughout the rest of the season, despite the news of him not being given a new contract had been a popular topic in the media.
LB – Abdul Baba Rahman: The Ghanaian seems to have become a forgotten man at the bridge, and with a key match in the Champions league coming up, it would be stupid to not give him a run out and rest Branislav Ivanovic. Baba put in a decent performance against MK Dons in the FA cup and deserves to prove himself once again.
Midfielders
CDM – Ruben Loftus-Cheek & John Obi Mikel: I have already mentioned the key match against PSG next week, so I might as well mention it again. Mikel has become a key figure in the resurrections of our season, keeping Nemanja Matic out of the side. Loftus-Cheek deserves a chance to prove himself in the Premier league; if he cannot get a chance against a struggling Newcastle united then he wont be able to get many chances. The league is a lost cause so we might as well experiment.
RW – Kenedy: This is a strange one, but it needs to be considered. Willian deserves a rest and will be needed in the Champions league. Kenedy is an insane talent and is more than capable to fill the boots of Chelsea players of the season.
CAM – Oscar: The Brazilian has been linked with a move to China in recent weeks, but has come out stating that he is happy at Chelsea and will hope to stay here for the years to come. Oscar has been in inconsistent form this season and will look to find his form this weekend.
LW – Eden Hazard: The Belgian hasn’t started in the last two games, and deserves of start against Newcastle. His confidence is currently low, but when he’s come of the bench recently, he has looked the best player and needs to start soon.
Striker
Diego Costa: News came out yesterday stating that Diego Costa will join the Zorro club, as he will be wearing a mask against Newcastle, after a collision with youth defender Fikayo Tomori; which left the Spaniard with a broken nose. Knowing Diego, he will not coward out of things and will play this weekend.
