Newcastle set to go against Chelsea

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has stressed the Magpies are prepared to host Chelsea at St. James Park this weekend as he believes the Blues will fear facing the Premier League sensations.

Currently living a poor run of results, Chelsea are off to a terrible start of December as they will not only visit St. James' Park as they play leaders Manchester City, in some of their toughest challenges in the season so far.

And Pardew believes Newcastle will be as difficult as top flight side from Manchester.

“We've set ourselves up for Chelsea,” he warned in the Evening Chronicle. “We have one of the big clubs coming to us and they will be fearing coming to us in front of 52,000 Geordies,” Pardew added.

The Magpies boss believes Newcastle could repeat Old Trafford, where they grabbed a draw.

“That point was magnificent and has strengthened our belief. They will make a difference. They loved it at Old Trafford and they enjoyed themselves – so now they will be looking ahead to this game. We went there looking to win and it was only when we went down to 10 men that we felt under pressure.”