Graham Potter will be keen to return to winning ways before the Chelsea squad attend to their international duties at the World Cup. Newcastle United are set to welcome the Blues to St James' Park on Saturday afternoon, November 12, in a clash which is set to have a huge impact on the race for top-four come the end of the season.
Eddie Howe's side head into the tie nine Premier League games unbeaten, winning four of their previous five. Newcastle are enjoying a great vein of form and look poised to give the west Londoners a run for their money.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are winless in their previous four Premier League fixtures and they're in desperate need of a win before the squad disperses later this month. Omari Hutchinson is one of several youngsters whose appearance is highly-anticipated, as is Lewis Hall who impressed midweek against Manchester City.
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So, with that being said, football.london have drawn up three ways Chelsea can set up against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
3-4-3
Armando Broja has warranted a start, especially with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enduring a somewhat uninspiring vein of form. Kai Havertz as the right-sided number ten could be an exciting option, having impressed in said role before for Germany.
Hall, as aforementioned, put in a man-of-the-match performance against Pep Guardiola's side during the week. He injected fresh life into Chelsea and looks to have done enough to earn a successive start.
4-3-3
Hutchinson was one of five youngsters spotted in training ahead of the clash and, after worked closely with the first team lately, an appearance of some capacity looks to be on the cards. A start is unlikely but it'd undoubtedly get the travelling Blues fans singing at the top of their voices.
Kalidou Koulibaly could be set for a return to the starting eleven. He's been absent from the team for three successive Premier League games after having picked up a knock to his knee.
4-2-3-1
With Newcastle often on the front foot, Conor Gallagher in the number ten role could be Potter's key to countering the Magpies' pressure. The midfielder did well in the role while on loan at Crystal Palace last season and, with Chelsea likely on the back foot, his energy could be pivotal.
Hakim Ziyech hasn't been given much of a chance under Potter so what better time than now with the Moroccan looking likely to leave in January - a last dance. A back-four with Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back could backfire with Newcastle home to two lethal forwards in Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron.
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