Chelsea are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Newcastle United on Monday evening.
The Blues have drawn back-to-back matches in the league and lost the Carabao Cup final in between, with Mauricio Pochettino still under enormous pressure at Stamford Bridge. Axel Disasi's late header secured a point last time out against west London neighbours Brentford, but Chelsea still find themselves in the bottom half of the table heading into the final two months of the season.
Chelsea do have a plethora of injuries to contend with and they could be missing almost ten players for Newcastle's visit. Defensive concerns will prove particularly difficult for Pochettino to cope with on Monday, but the Magpies also have plenty of abentees as well.
Here is how Chelsea could line up against Newcastle in the Premier League.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Newcastle (3-5-2)
GK: Djordje Petrovic - The goalkeeper will now face competition for his spot given Robert Sanchez's return, but his solid performances in the Spaniard's absence mean he is still first choice.
CB: Axel Disasi - The Frenchman scored an important goal at the Gtech Community Stadium last time out and will be tested up against the likes of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak on Monday.
CB: Thiago Silva - The veteran centre-back has been in patchy form this term and was actually benched against Brentford, but he should return to the starting lineup given injuries to Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah - The academy graduate's return from injury in recent weeks has been a welcome boost to Pochettino, and he may be moved out to the left side of the back three on Monday given Colwill's absence.
RM: Malo Gusto - The full-back was impressive in a more advanced wing-back/wide midfield role against the Bees, providing an assist and offering Chelsea some much-needed attacking width.
CM: Conor Gallagher - Having been typically reliable for Chelsea in the past few weeks, even adding a few more goals to his game. The Englishman will face a late fitness test after missing training last week through illness.
CM: Moises Caicedo - The Ecuadorian can be more combative as part of a deeper midfield three, with winning the battle in central areas of paramount importance against Newcastle.
CM: Enzo Fernandez - The World Cup winner will have to go toe-to-toe with Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes when it comes to playmaking on Monday, but his Brazilian counterpart has been in much stronger form this season.
LM: Marc Cucurella - With Ben Chilwell back on the sidelines, Cucurella's return to the bench against Brentford is good news for Pochettino. The Spaniard should come striaght into the advanced left position for Chelsea in Chilwell's place.
ST: Cole Palmer - The weight of carrying Chelsea for much of the season may have caught up with him in recent weeks, but the summer recruit will still be essential in a forward role for the Blues this Monday.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - The much-maligned centre-forward has been an important spark for Chelsea recently after some improved displays. including two goals and an assist in his last four outings.
