Chelsea vs. Newcastle United, Premier League: Team news; Preview; How to watch, stream

As the official Chelsea website out points out, over the last five seasons, no other team have taken more points off the Blues than Newcastle.  They are the true bogey team, whether that be via Papiss Cissé wondergoals or just simply abject performances by Chelsea on our travels far up north beyond the wall.  Of course then we learn the Newcastle have only won three of their last 49 league matches at Stamford Bridge and we're on an eleven-match unbeaten run, so there's nothing to worry about, right?

(So nailed on draw, just like our last four league games at home.)

But, should things truly go our way, we could be up to 11th by the end of the day, just a point or so below the top half of the table and with perhaps even a positive goal difference.  Heady days.  There's nothing stopping us now!  To infinity and beyond!

Date / Time: Stamford Bridge, SW6, 17:30 GMT; 12:30pm EST; 11pm IST

Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6

Referee: Roger East — this will be Mr. East's fourth ever Chelsea match; we've won all three of the previous, each by a two-goal margin, including two earlier this season against Aston Villa (2-0) and Sunderland (3-1), and this exact same fixture last season (2-0).

Forecast: Patchy rain

On TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK); NBCSN, NBC Universo (USA); Star Sports 4 / HD 4 (India); elsewhere

Streaming online: Sky GO (UK); NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (USA); Star Sports (India)

Chelsea team news: Manager Guus Hiddink shall address his constituents in a few short hours on Friday afternoon.  He might reveal some new information regarding squad selections or availabilities then, but for now, we can safely assume that Radamel Falcao, Alexandre Pato, and Matt Miazga will all remain unavailable for selection.  Loïc Rémy might be back, but his pal Kurt Zouma is out for the rest of the season.

With just two wins in our last eight Premier League games, this would be a most welcome three points ahead of what could be a crucial week in how this season's remembered.  A trip to Paris midweek and then the tie of the FA Cup fifth round await.  Might that mean we see some rotation and youth today?  Don't hold your breath.

Newcastle United team news: Newcastle's injury list could fill a whole preview in and of itself, though Daryl Janmaat and possibly even Jack Colback could be back in contention.  January transfer window signings Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey could make a decent difference, just as they did last weekend as the Magpies moved out of the relegation zone.

Newcastle have scored just 6 goals on their travels this season, the lowest in the division.  For more fun facts on the visitors, and some proper analysis as well, be sure to check out Rob's opposition report.

View from the enemy: Coming Home Newcastle

Previously: Last season's corresponding fixture included goals from Diego Costa and Oscar.