Premier League defending champions Chelsea FC (7-9-9, 30 points) had been on a roll in the domestic competitions since Guus Hiddink took over in mid-December and the team would like to continue their unbeaten streak against lowly Newcastle United (6-13-6, 24 points) at their home field of Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Feb. 13th.
The 69-year-old Hiddink was appointed interim head coach of the Blues after former manager Jose Mourinho was sacked on Dec. 17. Chelsea lost nine of the season's first sixteen games under the Portuguese following a championship season, which prompted the management to replace him with Hiddink.
Since then, the Pensioners have been undefeated for nine straight games with their most previous one a 1-1 draw with powerhouse team Manchester United also at the Stamford Bridge last Sunday, as reported by ESPN.
The Red Devils drew first blood in the tough game between two English giants with a goal from Jesse Lingard at the 61st minute. The Blues almost suffered their first loss under Hiddink, but striker Diego Costa saved the day, netting the equalizer one minute into injury time to preserve the interim coach's so far unbeaten record at the helm of Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Newcastle pulled off a 1-0 victory over reeling squad West Bromwich Albion at the St. James' Park last Saturday, via SkySports.
Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored what turned out to be the winner at the 32nd minute for the Magpies as both teams went scoreless for the rest of the match.
The win is Newcastle's second in its last six matches, which left them fourth from last place in the current league table, only a point above the relegation three spots.
This is actually the first time Steve McClaren's team climbed out of the relegation zone in weeks after Norwich City dropped five consecutive games, replacing them in the bottom three.
The predicted result is a close 1-0 win for Chelsea. Hiddink continues his undefeated run as temporary chief bench strategist for the Blues while the Magpies get back to the bottom three.
Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Oscar; Costa
Newcastle United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Shelvey, Tioté; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend; Mitrovic