(Picture) Strongest Chelsea Lineup To Play Against Newcastle – Costa Back In The Side

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are pretty much running away with the title before the Premier League has barely entered into the busy December period. Midweek’s game against Tottenham saw a Chelsea side without Diego Costa reignited a sense of deja vu as they whacked Tottenham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, barely made to sweat and barely challenged. Chelsea sit atop the Premier League on 36 points, 6 clear of Manchester City, and looking comfortably the favorites for the title, thanks to a watertight defence, top quality attackers and strength in depth only the blue half of Manchester can match. Chelsea visit Newcastle on Saturday, looking to continue their ruthless streak at one of the trickiest away venues in the Premier League.

Let’s put ourselves in Mourinho’s shoes and pick his team for the trip to Tyneside.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois

Courtois was barely made to flex his muscles against Tottenham as the North London side failed to convert their possessional dominance into goal scoring opportunities.

Defence

Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta.

No need to tinker with the tried and tested formula. Chelsea have looked rock solid at the back this season and the back four against Newcastle should have an all too familiar look about it. Chelsea haven’t had their goal breached in the last three matches after Mourinho’s public criticism of his defence leaking cheap goals. Gary Cahill and John Terry have been a rock at the back for the last three seasons, and the full backs Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta are a pillar of strength in their particular roles, combining defensive discipline with attacking fluidity.

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Midfield

Ramires, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard.

Cesc Fabregas has been in sizzling form since his return to England, playing the attacking enforcer when needed and playing risk-free football like the second half against Tottenham demanded. Nemanja Matic picked up his fifth suspension of the season and would miss the trip to Tyneside. Ramires is likely to take the Serbian’s place alongside Cesc Fabregas.

Eden Hazard is enjoying his best phase of football and scoring goals for fun including the first goal against the Spurs after their early domination on Wednesday. The Belgian’s performances have catapulted Mourinho’s side to the zenith of the Premier League, and his linkup play with Oscar and Willian is mouthwatering to watch. Oscar’s form may have dipped in recent games, but the Brazilian’s work ethic and technical ability makes him one of Jose’s first names on the team sheet.

Forward

Diego Costa

The Spaniard was suspended for the visit of Tottenham but should be raring to go against Newcastle after both Didier Drogna and Loic Remy scored against Spurs. Mourinho insisted that while Chelsea need Costa, they play with the right mentality and give confidence to the other forwards. But the Portuguese isnt going to complain having his Spanish front man back for a busy period of the season.