The final salvo of the Premier League’s broadside this weekend, and Chelsea’s fourth Monday night fixture of the season, is also the 150th league meeting between the Blues and Newcastle since 1907. The Londoners have taken all three points from 18 of the Magpies’ Premier League visits, more than we have done against any other visiting side except Tottenham (also 18).

Sunday’s hard-fought league win at Bramall Lane last Sunday lifted Chelsea to fifth in the table, one point behind Liverpool in fourth. ‘We are the hunters now,’ Thomas Tuchel announced, and on Saturday third-placed Leicester host Klopp’s team for lunch while leaders Manchester City entertain Spurs, who are now eighth, in the evening. The chase is on.

This game could also produce Chelsea’s third league double of 2020/21, and only the third over Newcastle in the 21st century. The Blues won 2-0 at St James’ Park in November thanks to a Fernandez own-goal and a second-half strike from Thursday’s match-winner at Barnsley, Tammy Abraham.

Chelsea team news

While Monday's visitors had a free midweek, Chelsea worked hard for an FA Cup win at Barnsley, but lacked the usual quality in achieving it on an unreliable Oakwell surface. Thomas Tuchel switched from a back three to 4-1-4-1 to help his rotated team move the ball faster and play further upfield.

Billy Gilmour’s increased aggression and drive from midfield set the tone for Abraham’s decisive strike which was stamped ‘Made in Cobham’. It was the striker’s Drogba-esque goal-line clearance, though, that sealed victory.

The Tykes were direct and physical, but the visit of Newcastle is likely to mean a reversion to the low block the Blues face so often in the Premier League, especially as Steve Bruce’s first-choices have been hit by injury and suspension.

Timo Werner was given the night off in Yorkshire after suffering a dead leg but should be ready for action again. Aaron Ramsdale clattering into the German at Bramall Lane resulted in the fourth penalty he has earned this league season, and the seventh in all competitions.

That is half of Chelsea’s overall total for 2020/21. The others were won by Tammy Abraham (two), Olivier Giroud, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount (all one), and two were for handballs (one an Abraham shot, the other by Christian Pulisic).

All four of Timo Werner’s last four attempts on goal have been on target. The German has not been finding the net but is contributing in other ways, winning a penalty and assisting the other goal at Sheffield United. In that same game Mason Mount became the youngest Chelsea player to achieve double figures in Premier League goals since Arjen Robben.

While the line-up may revert to a more familiar league one, Thursday brought N’Golo Kante’s first start under the new coach, who considers the France midfielder ‘one of the best in the world’. His ball-winning could make the difference against depleted Newcastle, who are vulnerable when caught in possession. They have fallen victim six times to goals from counter-attacks, the most in the top flight.Thiago Silva’s absence should mean Andreas Christensen continuing in a back three that has contributed towards four clean sheets in five outings. No opposition player has scored against a Thomas Tuchel team so far, and the Blues have allowed an average of just five shots per game, half the previous rate this season.Marcos Alonso, restored to the side under the Bavarian, scored the only goal of the game in this fixture last season while playing as an orthodox left-back.

Up-Toon in form

During Newcastle’s lengthy winless streak this winter Steve Bruce must have road-tested every formation in the tactical showroom. He used a 3-4-3 set-up for the reverse fixture in November, a 2-0 win for Chelsea but their recent three-point hauls were achieved with a more adventurous 4-3-1-2 that suits the flair of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.

However, only West Brom and Crystal Palace have let in more league goals this season, and the Baggies are the only team to have conceded more chances.

Already deprived of the services of centre-halves Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez, Steve Bruce reverted to a back four for a vital 3-2 win, with feisty midfielder Isaac Hayden redeployed as a central defender.

The three points against the Saints in their last game came at considerable cost to the Magpies, who completed the last 17 minutes with nine on the field. Former Burnley man Jeff Hendrick was shown a second yellow that means suspension against the Blues, and with all subs used, Fabian Schar fell to an injury that will rule him out for some time.

Callum Wilson and Javier Manquillo were forced off with injuries earlier on, and the qualities of the absentees will be hard to replace. Wilson is the Magpies’ top scorer with 10, has set up five others for team-mates, and wins a lot of handy free-kicks, while Schar makes the second-most interceptions for his team.

Right-back Manquillo is among Toon’s top competitors in the air and his natural replacement DeAndre Yedlin departed in January, leaving Emile Krafth as Bruce’s only option. Hendrick’s ban reduces their central midfield options, though Hayden could move back to his usual role if Lascelles and Fernandez are declared fit.

The Magpies have some dangerous players in form, with Almiron netting three times in four games, Saint-Maximin and Joelinton weighing in with assists, and January acquisition Joe Willock netting on his debut against Southampton.

Blues making gains

Chelsea have gained 10 points and improved goal difference by four in league games played since 23 January. The only rivals to outstrip the Blues over that period are leaders Manchester City, though Manchester United’s thrashing of Southampton means they have the edge on Chelsea’s goal difference increase.

Buffet at the bottom

So far this season Chelsea have lost two of the 13 league games against teams currently occupying the bottom half of the table – away to Wolves and Arsenal in December. Eight of the others were won and three drawn. The Blues have already completed the home and away ‘double’ against Burnley and Sheffield United. Beating Newcastle would add a third.

Romania calling

Earlier this week Spain’s Coronavirus restrictions on travellers from the UK forced Atletico to switch our Round of 16 first leg, originally set for Madrid on 23 February, to the National Arena, Bucharest, with the same date and time.

Diego Simeone’s side won the Europa League at the 2008-built stadium in May 2012, 10 days before Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in Munich. The following season the Blues were beaten 1-0 by Steaua Bucharest there, but a year later two-goal Ramires inspired a 4-0 victory on the same soil.Meanwhile, the Liga leaders were pegged back 2-2 by Celta Vigo last Monday and Diego Simeone was without six players who have tested positive for the virus: Yannick Carrasco, Moussa Dembele, Joao Felix, Mario Hermoso, Hector Herrera and Thomas Lemar. Under Champions League rules a match should go ahead providing a club has a minimum of 13 players available, including one goalkeeper.

Cup double

Not since since 2012/13 (Manchester United) have Chelsea knocked one team out of the two major domestic cups in the same season. Barnsley, beaten in the Carabao Cup and now FA Cup are the first lower league team to be eliminated from both by the Blues since Bolton Wanderers in 1971/72.

Our 15th quarter-final appearance this century, against Sheffield United on 20/21 March, means the trip to Liverpool, slated for the same weekend will be rearranged.

Premier League fixtures

SaturdayLeicester v Liverpool 12.30pm BT SportCrystal Palace v Burnley 3pm Sky SportsMan City v Tottenham 5.30pm Sky SportsBrighton v Aston Villa 8pm Sky Sports

SundaySouthampton v Wolves 12pm Amazon Prime VideoWest Brom v Man Utd 2pm Sky SportsArsenal v Leeds 4.30pm Sky SportsEverton v Fulham 7pm BT Sport

MondayWest Ham v Sheffield Utd 6pm BT SportChelsea v Newcastle 8pm Sky Sports

WednesdayBurnley v Fulham 6pm Sky SportsEverton v Man City 8.15pm Amazon Prime Video