Chelsea's Didier Drogba (L) scores past Newcastle United's Jak Alnwick (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park in Newcastle, northern England December 6, 2014.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba (L) scores past Newcastle United's Jak Alnwick (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park in Newcastle, northern England December 6, 2014. REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Chelsea do not have any more buffer as they are level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League. They face a Newcastle United team this Saturday at Stanford Bridge who are wounded in more ways than one. They have just been knocked out of the FA Cup; they have the largest number of injured players in the league at 14 and do not have a full-time manager at the present moment.

In their last five matches in all competitions Chelsea have won three, lost and drawn one match each. In the last five matches in the league Chelsea have also won three, drawn and lost one each. As far as Newcastle United are concerned they have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions, losing three times and drawing the other. In their last match they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Leicester. In the last five matches in the league Newcastle have the same record as well.

In the last 10 matches between these two teams the results are quite even with four wins each and two draws. In the last four matches at the Bridge, Chelsea have won two, drawn one and lost the other. The result of the last corresponding fixture was a three nil win for Chelsea courtesy of an Eden Hazard hat trick. In the last match between the two teams this season, Newcastle emerged victorious with a final score line of two one on Dec. 6th 2014.

With no injuries Jose Mourinho will have a full squad to pick the team. A full strength squad with Diego Costa back to full fitness should be enough to see off a wounded Newcastle United fighting to stay relevant at a mid-table position.

Newcastle on the other hand would hope that Chelsea are having one of their bad days. Chelsea have been vulnerable, especially away from home a few times this season. With Manchester City FC breathing down their necks the west London side are bound to be nervously looking over their shoulders. If Newcastle United can catch Chelsea is such a situation, then with their free scoring form they can provide a few problems for them.

To contact this author email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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