Newcastle United will have a good chance of taking points from Chelsea today and even end their hopes of winning the Premier League for a third time.
Newcastle are in good form and are unbeaten in their last 7 league games and they have won their last 3 home games without conceding a goal.
Today’s game will be a good test for Newcastle United against an in-form Chelsea team, who only last Wednesday pulled off a wonderful gutsy win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, which was a credit to football – and Ebnglish football in particular.
That win takes Chelsea to the European Champions League Final for the first time, against Man United, in the first ever all English final.
In fact the two English teams eliminated this season, Arsenal and Liverpool, were only beaten by other English teams, which just about sums up why the Premier league is easily the best in the world right now.
Make no mistake, Chelsea will be desperate to win the game today, and keep their chances alive for the last league game of the season, which all take place next Sunday with games kicking off at 3:00 pm.
If Chelsea can win and still be level on points with the Red Devils they will meet Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, while Man United on paper have have a tougher game against Wigan away.
Chelsea are in good form and are unbeaten in their last 7 games in all competitions, and are also unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League games. What do we take from these stats?
Looks like it’s time Chelsea were beaten in the league – of course. 😀
Chelsea are also unbeaten in their last 9 away games so they are definitely an in-form team.
But in their last 5 league games at St. James’ Park they have not won, and Newcastle usually do very well against the Blues with this regular end of the season fixture at St. James’ Park.
We expect Chelsea to know all about Newcastle’s recent good form because there is no doubt that our boys will be ready for this game, and Keegan is usually a master at getting the team ready for a big game. On the other hand, Chelsea have had big games all season and have done very well under Avram Grant.
We expect Newcastle to field the same team that drew with West Ham 2-2 last time out with Faye coming in at center-back for young David Edgar, who has not been able to train this week.
Mark Viduka has been struggling with an Achilles injury, but is expected to be fit enough to take his place in the side.
Harper
Beye Taylor Faye Enrique
Geremi Barton Butt
Owen (c) Viduka Martins
Subs: Forster Diatta Emre Milner Smith
There probably will be no room on the bench for Damien Duff, Charles N’Zogbia or Claudio Cacapa.
Chelsea won rather fortunately in the game at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, with a late goal from Kalou, after Newcastle had fought back to 1-1. The Magpies played really well in that game, under then manager Sam Allardyce, and were a but unlucky to lose.
Chelsea will have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
The game will be a stiff test for our midfield three of Geremi, Butt and Barton and also our back four. But we also expect Newcastle to attack Chelsea, but it would appear the midfield holds the key to the game.
Chelsea’s only concern is a slight leg injury that German Michael Ballack picked up last Wednesday against Liverpool, but the midfielder is expected to be fit for this vitally important league game.
Comments very welcome.
47 comments so far
Ausgeordie
May 5, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Comment #1I cant wait for this game tonight. It will 12.55 am on tuesday morning in Sydney Australia for me.
Where else are people watching from and what time will it be there??
petworth magpie
May 5, 2008 at 1:54 AM
Comment #2will be an interesting test for MO in his new position with Macalele watching him
adam
May 5, 2008 at 1:55 AM
Comment #3mate im gona be watching from new zealand at 2.55am!!! come on newcastle!
briss264
May 5, 2008 at 2:59 AM
Comment #4Orlando, Florida in America. it will be 11 a.m. here. haway the lads!
lee7802017710
May 5, 2008 at 4:13 AM
Comment #5The NU match will be 10.55 p.m. for me in Malaysia here. Right time for me to enjoy the supper n watch the match !! Hope that NU will perform well in this game…..
geordie_jordan
May 5, 2008 at 4:20 AM
Comment #611pm ko here in hong kong. no english commentary on my cable lineup so, it’s music for me while drinking some tins…
ginkoh
May 5, 2008 at 4:44 AM
Comment #7Don’t miss our last home game for this season. Hope it will be good game and enjoy the match tonight lads!
tippo
May 5, 2008 at 4:53 AM
Comment #8I think this is going to be a tougher match for Newcastle but a good test for the team at the right time of the season.
Kevin
May 5, 2008 at 4:58 AM
Comment #910.00AM here in Chicago, IL, USA. Not too early to skip out of work, put a couple pints back and support the TOON!
2-1 for me- Martins and Beye!
jeremy9
May 5, 2008 at 5:14 AM
Comment #1010 a.m. – st. louis, U.S., unfortunately i can’t skip work for another soccer game, but will try to avoid score and watch the replay later that day
Bobby Choung
May 5, 2008 at 6:42 AM
Comment #1110.55pm here in malaysia 😛
i’d prefer chelsea winning the league than mu though … soo ….
yet_another_indian_toon
May 5, 2008 at 6:45 AM
Comment #122030 in India…. Will round up my manyoo and arsenal brethren at work and watch the match!!!
I want a win, dont care who wins the league
Taiwantoon
May 5, 2008 at 6:48 AM
Comment #13I don’t care who wins the league. It has nothing to do with me. I am equally disgusted as long as it’s not us. The only thing I want is a good result tonight.
Having said that, as long as the lads give a commited perfomance, i would be a happy fan.
GazzaToon
May 5, 2008 at 7:09 AM
Comment #144pm here in good old england lol!! cummon the toon
coolsmurf
May 5, 2008 at 7:14 AM
Comment #15first time i have seen a 10.55pm ko on mondays, but it’s perfect for me in singapore!
Alby
May 5, 2008 at 7:26 AM
Comment #1611 pm Monday nite here in Hong Kong! Having been thinking about this game over the weekend hahaa.
Steve_48
May 5, 2008 at 7:36 AM
Comment #17I’ll be in the local for this one, 4pm, cold Stella in hand at the ready.
Guinea Mag
May 5, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Comment #183PM here in Guinea; hoping the jungle statelite shows the game live……
It will be difficult to get any kind of result, but let’s hope we play well and get something from the game; i.e. a point or even a win!!!!
Aussie Dave
May 5, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Comment #19Toon fans all over the world great to see, lets hope for a good performance and 3 points.
Will be a shame to hand manure the title, i hate those pricks
Marguerite
May 5, 2008 at 8:13 AM
Comment #20I shall be at the match, hope the pre-match and post match celebrations lift the roof off at SJP. HOWAY THE LADS.
THELONGSHANKS
May 5, 2008 at 8:26 AM
Comment #21CMON the toon,owen to score two 2-0 victory.
YankFanInNZ
May 5, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Comment #223AM here in Christchurch. I’ll likely still be up and hoping Sopcast is working.
Hammy
May 5, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Comment #23All you boys tuning in early to watch the game….
divn’t gan spoil it for us in the U.K by telling us the score before we watch it…..
YA KNA WAT A MEAN LIKE……….
Fernando
May 5, 2008 at 8:44 AM
Comment #24Howay the lads!
Fernando
May 5, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Comment #25oba to score 3! owen score 2! viduka score 1! barton, butt and geremi score one!
najikhin
May 5, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Comment #26i am a malaysian currently living in germany..
so 5pm for me..dont have any class today..but too many personal problems regarding my mobile bill..sigh.. T_T
Leo
May 5, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Comment #27im suprised how many people on hear support newcastle and live in the USA, good on ya lads, iwill be there soaking up the atmosphere and adding my lil bit to it.
Nick Dryden
May 5, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Comment #28Off subject I know. I love KK but the list of players we are being associated with is desperately diappointing.
Riise, Dunne, Davis (Fulham,) Johnson and bent are all either mediocre, way over priced and in some cases both. I would rather go for inexpensive promising youngsters as Wise has started doing. I get the feeling this is not the avenue KK wants to go. But the list mentioned has the look of his buys at Fulham and Man city, not like his first spell at SJP with Albert, Ginola and Asprilla.
Graham
May 5, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Comment #294 PM is sunny Manchester.
I am actually watching it with a load of man u fans who are all cheering for the toon!!!
Ha way the lads
Merwe Moelich
May 5, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Comment #30Leaving work early to go watch the game at my best friend,his a Chelsea fan.lol.It will be 5pm in Cape Town South africa!!
hanzowen
May 5, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Comment #31it’ll be 11 p.m. game for regions of M’sia & S’pore like.
We must believe we can beat them & play to win it. By saying that i guess Martins & Owen to score = 2-1 win~
Howay lads! 🙂
LyNx18
May 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Comment #32let’s kick chelsea’s butt!!!!!!!!!!
Toon Toon Black & White Army
May 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Comment #334pm here in newcastle at st james park!!! Cant wait for the game ive got loads of mates who are chelsea fans and i would love it if we stop them winning the title! LOVE IT!
Greek Toon
May 5, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Comment #341800 Greece live on supersport 3. Place at bar reserved 🙂
Ausgeordie
May 5, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Comment #35Wow how great to see so many people from all over the world!! Ill be wearing my brown ale jersey from the old days. There are thousands of geordies who cannot be at the game cheering on the boys but geez I’m jealous of the ones going!!
Cloudstrife
May 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Comment #36Up and At ’em lads!! we can do this!!
marosh
May 5, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Comment #371700 in spain valencia .. hoping for a good match with better end for us …
howay the lads
Hadji
May 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Comment #385 PM in Skopje,Macedonia…I just wanna salut all the Newcastle fans around the globe.
ToonKing
May 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Comment #396 PM here in Romania, i have an exam from 4PM and i think i’ll need to cut that short 😀 .
fans of the world i salute you 😉
iraqi_geordie
May 5, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Comment #40the game will be at 7 pm here in Baghdad and today is another f’d up day 🙂
any way howay the lads 2-0 for the toon oba and taylor to score