The Magpies saw their unbeaten start to the 2011-12 season come to an end when they travelled to Manchester City before following up that result with a battling display to hold United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Alan Pardew's men return from Manchester to their home of Tyneside for what is arguably their most winnable of three testing matches, with Chelsea all at sea despite having returned to winning ways in the league last weekend.

Just when there appeared to be hope Chelsea were turning a corner with their convincing 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, they were brought crashing down to earth again as Liverpool dumped them out of the Carling Cup.

Speaking after the exit, Villas-Boas expressed his feeling that his side perform better away from home, citing "anxiety" at Stamford Bridge, although the coach is hopeful fans will rally ahead of next week's crunch Champions League match versus Valencia.With those woes in front of their own fans in mind, Villas-Boas will perhaps take solace from an away day as he seeks a fourth away league victory of the season that would see them leapfrog Newcastle, who currently sit fourth.

Pardew, meanwhile, seemingly smells blood, after he stated: "We have one of the big clubs coming to us and they will be fearing coming to us in front of 52,000 Geordies. We've set ourselves up for Chelsea."

The Magpies will not, however, have influential midfielder Cheik Tiote, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, at his disposal: the Ivorian has yet to overcome a knee injury. Leon Best (groin) is back in training, though.

Newcastle player to watch: Tim Krul. Like many of Newcastle's regulars this season, Netherlands international Krul has been in excellent form, and, with all due respect, exceeded expectations. Against the Premier League champions last weekend, Krul made a string of super saves to frustrate the wave after wave of United attacks. He has been ever-present for his club in the top-flight this season, conceding just 12 times in 13 matches - the joint-best defensive record in the division.

Chelsea player to watch: Oriol Romeu. The Spain Under-21 joined Chelsea in the summer from Barcelona for a fee of £4.3 million as part of Villas-Boas' plans to refresh his ageing crop. Since the switch he has, understandably, been used sparingly in a bid to integrate him steadily while he adapts to English football. Last Saturday, against Wolves, he made his first Premier League start, and, prior to the midweek, had not been on the losing side for Chelsea this season. Romeu is a combative customer, and does seem to have leapfrogged Mikel in the pecking order for that holding midfield berth.

Key Battle: Fabricio Coloccini v Didier Drogba. Coloccini has been one of the division's best defenders this season. Alongside Steven Taylor, the pair have formed a fine partnership that has frustrated many an opponent this campaign. The Argentine's reading of the game and general commanding presence have particularly caught the eye. Didier Drogba, meanwhile, is keeping Fernando Torres out the side, despite his agent stating this week he will leave Chelsea for whichever club offers the most money. With Daniel Sturridge breathing down Drogba's neck for the central striking berth, the onus is on the 33-year-old - who has scored just one league goal this season - to put in a leading display.

Trivia: This is Newcastle's best start to a season since 1996-97 when they had 28 points after 13 matches.

Match

The match is 1:45pm not 4pm

Mukina uses GGT - Greenwich Gambian Time

Adetayo100:

The match is 1:45pm not 4pm

ma binu i was sleep typing

denzel2009:

Mukina uses GGT - Greenwich Gambian Time

sharraaaaaaap

GGT

Links abeg

sorry,chelsea will lose again

Game on!

Lampard, Terry, Drogb just wanna make sure they destroy Villa Boas before they leave.

Lampard useless - why cant Drogba take the freaking penalty

No nid to see stats @ d end of d game pls. Lampard shud neva start a Match for chelsea.

Sturridge needs to be passing the ball

oh well. . .

like how many wasted chances now huh?

Drogbaaaa! damn !

Mata na winch. Drogba na dustbin.

I beg AVB beta remove Phat lampard cos d dude is just wastin space for US. Meanwhile,Luiz shud stop throwing away balls wit Useless long passes.

Their is conspiracy theory in this team. They just want to finish Villa Boas with their deliberate misses in front of the goal keeper

^^^ ;d

See wahala o! Can AVB pls tk out Lamp for mereiles,drog for anelka plssssssssssssss

Drogbaaaa

[size=18pt]GOAL        DROGBA[/size]

Finally Drog scores.

What a beautiful header!

Awon me lo? get in!

English refs are not different from naija refs. Thats why their teams struggle in CL

Did anyone see dat useless run forward by Luiz? Pls,mk dis boi go chop bench small I beg.I am beginning to distate dis highline rubbish wit a passion.

A cracking 45 mins of football.

blue is the colour

^ which colour? Just wait until after the match!
Today own na weep una go weep.
I trust Dem Baba . .and by the time the Ameobi brothers are unleashed . . Na sorry go be una name!
Stewpid Shellsea!!