Newcastle United - Chelsea


Alan Shearer will command his first game in charge at home, against Guus Hiddink's Chelsea...

Kick-off: Saturday, April 4, 15:00 GMT
St James' Park, Newcastle

The condition of 'NMS' has often been mooted in the past with, most recently, the change in fortunes of both Portsmouth, and Chelsea. But for the sake of clarity, here is the technical definition:

Condition: New Manager Syndrome - [abbv; NMS].

Symptoms Include: Reversing form that was seemingly irreversible under a former, fallen, manager.

Possible Side Effects Of N.M.S: Cheery feverish home crowds; increase in match-day revenue and hope.

Chelsea's experienced journeyman manager Guus Hiddink is acutely aware of the potential reaction that Alan Shearer's temporary tenure in the Newcastle United hotseat can bring.

"Everyone knows their situation, there will be a reaction from the team and the crowd," Hiddink told journalists assembled at a pre-match press conference today.

Specifically, on Shearer, the Dutchman - who has been somewhat of a trophy-magnet during his years in club management - said, "I respect him very much. I know him as a player.

"He is quite a personality and will have an influence on the team. There will be a hectic atmosphere on Saturday. It forces us to give everything we have."

Newcastle United are two points below safety. They are flirting dangerously close to a Championship season next campaign and, despite the club's weekend opposition, Shearer has already cited a positive result during the Chelsea clash as a mandatory requirement, as the dangers of going five points adrift with just seven games remaining could prove to become too much of a gap to close.

Chelsea, though, have their own motivations to perform. Hiddink will have instilled into his side belief that a late title surge is still a distinct possibility considering Manchester United's recent form from grace, but any unnecessary dropped points will see considerably dent these dreams.

FORM GUIDE

Newcastle United

Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal (Prem)
Hull 1-1 Newcastle (Prem)
Newcastle 1-2 Man Utd (Prem)
Bolton 1-0 Newcastle (Prem)
Newcastle 0-0 Everton (Prem)

Chelsea

Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea (Prem)
Chelsea 1-0 Man City (Prem)
Juventus 2-2 Chelsea (CL)
Coventry 0-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)
Portsmouth 0-1 Chelsea (Prem)

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle

Alan Shearer will be without Shola Ameobi (ankle).

Lionheart defender Steven Taylor, Sebastien Bassong, and Damien Duff, could all feature, though.

Squad: Harper, Forster, Krul, S Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Enrique, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, R Taylor, Jonas, Nolan, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Smith, Martins, Owen, Carroll, Xisco.

Probable XI: Harper, Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Jonas, Guthrie, Owen, Martins.

Chelsea

Jose Bosingwa has returned from the international fixtures with an injury, so will be unavailable for selection.

Guus Hiddink confirmed in his pre-match press conference today that Didier Drogba will also be sidelined.

Squad: Cech, Hilario, Taylor, Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic, Terry, Mancienne, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Mikel, Kalou, Essien, Malouda, Di Santo, Anelka, Quaresma, Stoch.

Probable XI: Cech, Belletti, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Quaresma, Anelka.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle United

The newly-installed Magpies manager has already identified Michael Owen as the club's potential saviour as it is the former Liverpool and Real Madrid hotshot's goals that have been cited as the club's greatest chance of climbing their way out of the drop zone.

Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka has embarked on a bit of a barren run of late, still stuck on 15 Premier League goals for the season, but in the absence of Didier Drogba, the goal-scoring burden will fall on his shoulders.

PREDICTION

Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea

a win for newcastle can be a huge boost for the team in such hard time
a dream start for Shearar if he can manage to bag 3 points

he aint having any injuries and this will be a positive thing and i think the international break was useful for the injuries 2 heal and have a good rest now back to work n they must know it's a difficult road for them to see the light

El Loddz wrote:i dont think chelsea will waste another 3 points. so i predict a win for chelsea maybe 2-0

they dont want 2 miss another 3 points but they may be forced to cause they r facing Newcastle in St.James Park and the magpies r in the relegation zone now with 8 games to go , Newcastle needs the points more and more

match started 10 minutes still 0-0

newcastle's starting lineup

Harper , Beye , Enrique , Coloccini , S.Taylor , Nolan , Butt , Jonas , Lovenkrands , Martins and Owen