Newcastle United take on a rejuvenated Chelsea side at St. James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 

Chelsea and Newcastle United played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the sides' most recent meeting on the final day of last season. However, we can easily say it was a meaningless game - The Magpies were already certain for their top-four spot, while the Blues - led by caretaker manager Frank Lampard - were waiting for the new beginning. 

The Blues, however, have won three of their last five visits to St. James' Park, but Newcastle claimed a 1-0 home victory last season (12 November 2022). 

The Magpies will be hoping a victory against Chelsea can help kickstart a consistent run of form in the lead-up to Christmas. They sit seventh in the table, six points off the top four - a gap they can’t afford to grow much bigger.

The lack of consistency is something that has plagued the North East outfit in recent weeks, with Eddie Howe's side winning just two from their last five top-flight matches.

Newcastle suffered back-to-back 2-0 defeats before the international break as in addition to the loss at struggling Bournemouth, the Magpies also lost another Champions League clash with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and they remain bottom of Group F as a result. 

They will travel to France for a crucial game against Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek before they take on Manchester United in the Premier League next weekend - an eventful week for Eddie Howe's side. 

The January transfer window is just around the corner and the Magpies are seriously considering their attacking options. According to a local journalist, they “don’t trust” Swedish striker Alexander Isak. His quality is undisputable, but his ability to stay fit throughout an entire campaign is really questionable so the North East giants will seek a replacement.

It might be too early to discuss Newcastle's winter transfer policy right now because Christmas isn’t even here yet, but let’s face it, Eddie Howe needs to make some serious reinforcements to his squad.

Eddie Howe's side suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat on their trip to the south coast before the break. It was a poor performance, but the Newcastle manager wasn't able to call on a considerable number of first-team players for various reasons. 

Newcastle continue to be without a host of first-team players that are currently injured or unavailable for Eddie Howe's side heading into crucial games against Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Bruno Guimaraes was deeply involved in the South American Clasico at Maracana on Tuesday evening as well as his fellow countryman Joelinton. However, Eddie Howe will be desperate to have his Brazilian aces as fit as possible for the weekend, given the current selection crisis. 

Guimaraes was already suspended for the trip to Bournemouth and the Brazilian playmaker's absence was one of the missing links in Newcastle's setup. 

Eddie Howe was forced to make wholesale changes at Bournemouth and even in that game, his side saw Fabian Schar and Sean Longstaff play on through injuries while Miguel Almiron sustained a hamstring problem and was forced off in the first half.

In addition to Lewis Hall - who is ineligible to feature against his parent club - the likes of Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson are all injured for the Geordies. 

Furthermore, Sandro Tonali remains a long-term absentee (until next season) due to suspension.

Eddie Howe has given an update on Newcastle United's ever-growing injury list for Saturday's Premier League game. The Newcastle boss revealed that Alexander Isak is touch-and-go for the visit of Chelsea at St James' Park . 

The Newcastle manager had also stated that Kieran Trippier "is fine and in a good place", but midfielder Sean Longstaff, who picked up an ankle injury at Bournemouth, will be assessed. But on a positive note, experienced Switzerland defender Fabian Schar and Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron will also be in the squad to face The West London club on Saturday.

The Blues return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when they make the trip to St James' Park to face an injury-ridden Newcastle United.

Mauricio Pochettino's side sit 10^th in the Premier League, four points behind their opponents and they see the game as a huge opportunity to climb up the table. 

Having endured a poor start to the new campaign, Chelsea arguably produced their most impressive performances under Mauricio Pochettino just before the break. 

Only a few days after a 4-1 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, The Blues played out a spectacular 4-4 draw with defending champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. 

Cola Palmer - the England starlet who arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer - remained composed to convert a stoppage-time penalty that sealed the final score against his boyhood club. 

Everyone was aware that Pochettino will need time and the backing of everyone in West London to reshape the club but the first signs emerged just before the break. 

Many would say that Chelsea scored four past a 9-man Spurs side but the performance against Manchester City, mostly in attack, was a glimmer of hope that better days are coming after a mediocre 2022-23 campaign. 

Remarkably, Chelsea hold the joint third-highest in the Premier League in terms of expected goals (xG: 21.7), but the absence of a prolific striker makes them quite inefficient in front of goal. Of course, this might sound strange given the fact that Chelsea have scored eight goals in their last two matches and Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson netted four of them, but we must bear in mind they have scored just 13 times in their opening 10 league games. 

Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka remain sidelined for Chelsea, while summer signings Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are making good progress in their recovery but the trip to Newcastle could come too soon for the pair. 

Unbeaten in four Premier League away games (3-1-0), The Blues are aiming to win four on the road for the first time since the spring of 2022. With that said, Mauricio Pochettino's Blues might feel upbeat about ending Newcastle’s unbeaten home league run.

Indeed, Eddie Howe's men have won their last four home Premier League matches ‘to nil’ and will be looking to extend their strong form, based on a solid defensive foundation.

Victory for either side would provide a significant confidence boost heading into the busy festive period, but if the Magpies are strengthened by a few aces returning from injury, they will surely be even more fired up by the home crowd.