Prem Preview: Chelsea – Newcastle United

Prem Preview: Chelsea – Newcastle United
What: Barclays Premier League
Who: Chelsea (3rd, 38 pts) v. Newcastle United (11th, 26 pts)
When: Saturday, 29th December, 15:00 (GMT)
Where: Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea battle Newcastle at Stamford Bridge with manager Avram Grant being without the services of his key players, yet needing all three points to keep his team in the title race.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, is fighting to save his job on Saturday.
Selection Woes For Grant
Chelsea's Boxing Day encounter against Aston Villa was indeed fantastic entertainment for football fans. For Grant though, the thrills on the football pitch have turned into a massive selection headache against Newcastle.
Defender Ricardo Carvalho is suspended. Talismanic playmaker Frank Lampard suffered a torn thigh muscle that has left him sidelined for many weeks. Skipper John Terry is still out injured. Winger Florent Malouda has not regained full fitness. The Blues’ number one hitman, Didier Drogba, is still recovering from injury.
As Grant looks to replace these players, it is likely that he’ll call upon Michael Ballack to play a crucial role.
The German international showed his hunger to play against Villa – winning a penalty and snatching a goal to boot. But since moving from Bayern Munich, the midfielder has been considered a misfit, and he’ll go into the match against the Magpies with plenty to prove.
A suspect defence, though, may pose the biggest problem for Grant. To concede four goals against the Villains will have done little to inspire confidence. A less-than-able replacement in Tal Ben Haim is set to step in to fill Carvalho’s shoes – Grant and his assistant Henk Ten Cate had better start worrying.
The Blues have picked up only four points over Christmas – finding themselves off the pace behind second-placed Arsenal and league leaders Manchester United.
With a proud record to maintain at home, where Chelsea remain unbeaten in all competitions since February 2006, it’s without a doubt that Grant and his charges will be motivated to get a result against Newcastle.
Three points will, indeed, spark Chelsea’s title chase back to life again.
Talk The Talk, Walk The Walk, Allardyce
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce enjoys voicing his opinion on most matters football – except for his own team.
Now, the under-pressure manager has to silence his critics after a dismal 2-2 draw against bottom club Derby County and a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Wigan on Boxing Day.
The former Bolton boss has blamed his players, he allegedly blasted them in the dressing room after the loss, saying that they’re going to cost him his job.
Strangely though, Allardyce has blamed everyone but himself. It’s obvious, though, that the methods which have brought him success at the Reebook Stadium have failed to work at Tyneside.
The beleaguered manager is fighting to save his job, and the arrest of summer signing Joey Barton by the police over an alleged assault will not help his cause.
The Newcastle faithful have already turned their back on Big Sam, with many booing him and calling for his dismissal. A defeat to Chelsea on Saturday will probably mark the end of his reign at St James’ Park

source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=528653