Graham Potter, Chelsea's players and supporters, need a shoot of optimism from somewhere before heading off for the World Cup break after three defeats in their last four games.
That is an awful run, and the opposition does not get much easier on Saturday evening in the form of Newcastle United at a buoyant St. James Park.
Eddie Howe's men go into this fixture six points clear of Chelsea after winning six of their last seven Premier League games, their only loss so far coming to Liverpool back in August. The confidence levels of both squads are starkly different, and the mood around fans is also radically different.
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Potter has rotated frequently during his first run of games as Chelsea's head coach. Some of that has been enforced with persistent injury problems to key players like Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Another reason has been trying to find the right formula with a new set of players in the midst of a highly demanding schedule.
It is very hard to anticipate what configuration will next appear, given the last two games against Arsenal and Manchester City heralded two different formations and 18 different players.
Even with the expectation that regulars like Mason Mount, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havettz will return after not starting in midweek, the woeful form leaves little to be certain about heading into another potentially painful evening for Potter on Tyneside.
So with that tricky challenge, our team of reporters have been tasked with guessing Potter's lineup for Saturday evening.
Adam Newson
Had this game come against a side struggling for form – and had Chelsea not won just two of their previous seven matches – then I suspect Potter would have tried to rest a number of players who are headed to the World Cup next week. But he will have to go strong at St James’ Park.
Edouard Mendy will start in goal, and I feel a back three is the smartest choice against a confident and in-form Newcastle. Trevoh Chalobah is the obvious choice to start on the right once more, Thiago Silva can come into the middle, having been rested in midweek against Man City, and Kalidou Koulibaly can occupy the left centre-back role.
There is a decision to make as to who is used as a wing-back. It may seem conservative, but I would go with Cesar Azpilicueta on the right and Marc Cucurella on the left. Both would provide greater defensive solidity than crowbarring a winger into an unfamiliar position.
Mateo Kovacic must start in midfield, and I would pair him with Jorginho. The Italian may not be the most mobile, but he will be needed to help Chelsea escape what is likely to be a well-coordinated Newcastle backline.
Christian Pulisic posed a threat in midweek against Man City, and I would start the American once more. Armando Broja deserves an opportunity to lead the attack in a Premier League game and can go hard, given he is not going to the World Cup. There are plenty of other choices for the right side of the attack, but I would go with Raheem Sterling, who will have a point to prove ahead of joining the England squad.
Adam’s XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella; Sterling, Broja, Pulisic
Daniel Childs
There was some hope after a period of 10 games, that we could gauge Potter's preferences a bit better. Sure, there are some regulars who have maintained starting spots, like Mount, Sterling and Silva, but the poor form, injuries and Potter's flexibility have made this task extremely challenging.
First-world problems, I know. Woe is me and all.
I'm gonna stick with what worked well in midweek against City. Newcastle will be fired up here and are a progressive team, even if they have a good off-the-ball structure, having the join-best defensive record in the league so far. But they will press Chelsea, and its about how the Blues can stifle those waves and look to exploit space.
I'm gonna stick with the 3-4-3 and keep the speed of Christian Pulisic in the lineup, along with Armando Broja, who can be a raw, but threatening presence in behind. I'd also like to see Marc Cucurella start as a left wingback, a position he has rarely played in since Potter took charge in September.
Daniel's XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Zakaria, Kovacic, Cucurella; Pulisic, Broja, Sterling
Scott Clayton
I expect Graham Potter to pick his best side and not think about the World Cup. After three defeats in the last four matches, Chelsea need a win after back-to-back Premier League defeats.
Potter's selection for the match against Dinamo Zagreb showed he is focused on winning than anything else. For this reason I expect Thiago Silva, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, and Mason Mount all to come back into the side and start tomorrow.
Jorginho missed the match against Newcastle due to injury but with Italy not in the World Cup and him having a six-week break, I expect he will come back into the side.
The position I had a problem predicting is right wing-back. I would have picked Ruben Loftus-Cheek if he didn't play the full match on Wednesday. I think Potter will look to freshen it up by getting Cesar Azpilicueta back in the side.
Scott's XI: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella; Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang
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