Latest EPL standings as well as fixtures and results are found below the predictions.
Chelsea kick off the return of the English Premier League on Saturday lunchtime when they face Newcastle at St James? Park.
The Blues had to press pause on their improving EPL form for the international break, but the schedule does give them a chance to go top of the table from a starting position of fifth if they can seal a win on Tyneside.
Frank Lampard’s side demolished sorry Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago, backing up their 3-0 victory at Burnley in fine style.
Attacking duo Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz will miss out through injury, while Ben Chilwell is a doubt having hobbled out of England’s game last weekend.
Hakim Ziyech will be assessed having made a long trek back from Africa and youngster Billy Gilmour is edging closer to his return.
Newcastle are a model of inconsistency, coming into the weekend with three wins, two draws and three defeats.
Steve Bruce watched his side slip to a 2-0 defeat at impressive Southampton last time out, leaving the Toon Army 13th in the standings.
The Magpies are blighted by injury concerns, which were hardly helped by the international matches this week.
Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser face a race to be fit to take on the Blues, with Isaac Hayden pushing for a recall.
Newcastle vs Chelsea: Prediction
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
Newcastle vs Chelsea: EPL Line-up predictions
Probable Newcastle Starting XI: Karl Darlow, Fabian Schar, Jamal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Jacob Murphy, Jeff Hendrick, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Jamal Lewis, Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin.
Probable Chelsea Starting XI: Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic, N?Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner.