Steve McClaren is in desperate need of a win to relieve the growing pressure, but faces an in-form Blues outfit looking to capitalise on Manchester City's earlier defeat.
Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini (c), Mbabu; Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic
Subs: Elliot, Williamson, Lascelles, Obertan, Thauvin, de Jong, Toney
Chelsea: Begovic; Ivanovic (c), Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Oscar, Hazard; Remy
Subs: Blackman, Terry, Mikel, Ramires, Willian, Kenedy, Falcao.
Jose Mourinho has been extremely agitated in the run up to this evening's clash.
His long-running feud with Arsene Wenger shows no sign of a reconciliation after the Chelsea boss appeared to launch an astonishing attack on the Arsenal boss.
Mourinho is seething at the Football Association's decision to retrospectively ban Diego Costa for three matches following last weekend's 2-0 win over Arsenal.
He refused to comment on the decisions, but instead appeared to wade into Wenger when asked about the pressure surrounding Newcastle manager Steve McClaren.
He repeatedly declined to name the Frenchman, whom he referred to as "the king", but it was clear who he was speaking about.
"I think in this country, only one manager is not under pressure," Mourinho said.
"Steve is under pressure, I am under pressure, Brendan (Rodgers, the Liverpool boss) is under pressure, (Manchester City's Manuel) Pellegrini is under pressure.
"We cannot lose matches, we cannot be below expectations.
"There is one that for some reason is outside that list. Good for him."
