Chelsea and Newcastle will be hoping to keep their players in check as they look to avoid being hit with suspensions over the next three games. Premier League rules state that any player who picks up five yellow cards from his side’s first 19 league matches will need to serve a one-match ban.
It will be important for players to avoid picking up needless bookings over the coming weeks as the hectic fixture schedule ramps up for the festive period. Chelsea and Newcastle will be particularly keen to stay disciplined, with several of their high-profile stars just one yellow card away from a ban.
Both sides will have three players walking a tightrope in their next few games after picking up four bookings each so far this season. Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer are the stars in question at Chelsea, with the latter receiving his latest caution during the defeat to Everton over the weekend.
The Blues have endured a torrid campaign to date and could really do without losing key players to suspensions as they look to bounce back over the next three games. Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to pick up some much-needed points against beatable opponents in the form of Sheffield United, Wolves and Crystal Palace.
Newcastle trio Joelinton, Jamaal Lascelles and Sean Longstaff will also be eager to avoid being suspended by getting another booking. The Magpies already have a large number of players unavailable due to injury and will need all hands on deck to maintain their top-four charge this month.
The suspension rule will reset after 19 games, meaning that all players on four yellow cards will get a clean slate for the second half of the season. As a result, it will be crucial for Newcastle to stay on top of their discipline in their next three league matches against Fulham, Luton Town and Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s side are currently seven points adrift of the Premier League’s top four after winning eight and losing six of their opening 16 games. They were comfortably beaten away from home by Tottenham last time around and will certainly be looking to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are stuck firmly in mid-table after claiming just five wins all season under the guidance of Pochettino. The Argentine boss will be hoping for his players to finally turn a corner over the coming weeks, with the Blues still merely a group of individuals rather than a cohesive team as things stand.
Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook group by clicking here.
