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Preview: Chelsea vs. Newcastle United

The battle for fourth spot will be on the minds of Chelsea and Newcastle United tonight. Here, Sports Mole previews the encounter at Stamford Bridge.

A loss for either side at Stamford Bridge this evening could put an end to their chances of securing fourth spot and Champions League football for next season.

Hosting Chelsea are the favourites to take maximum points, having scored six against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Newcastle's recent good form was brought to an abrupt end during the weekend's 4-0 loss to relegation strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Chelsea defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill will miss the encounter with injuries. However, the Blues will be boosted by the return of Branislav Ivanovic from a three-match suspension.

Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo will also have to make a decision between Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba in attack.

Visiting boss Alan Pardew has one new injury concern in the form of full-back Danny Simpson, who is struggling with a muscular complaint.

Should the Magpies slip to a defeat it will be the first time in 21 outings that they have lost consecutive games.

Current form:

Chelsea: DWWDDW
Newcastle: WWWWWL

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien; Sturridge, Romeu, Malouda, Kalou; Torres

Newcastle: Krul; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye, Gutiérrez; Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Today's games header
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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