Frank Lampard admits Newcastle have shown they are capable of upsetting the odds this season.
Lampard’s Chelsea side are strong favourites for Saturday’s game against the Magpies at Stamford Bridge.
But Newcastle have won at Tottenham this term and will be looking to build on their win against Manchester United prior to the international break.
Lampard said at a press conference: “Of course they’ll attempt to do that. I saw also them at Tottenham earlier in the season put in a similar show of resilience and organisation and counter-attacking football.
“Whether they’ll do exactly that, who knows? Obviously that’s their prerogative. But they’ve got templates for getting results against teams in that way.
“So I only see them at their best in terms of how we prepare; what can they do to make it very difficult for us? What can they do to hurt us in the game?
“As we know in the Premier League every game has huge challenges, and I expect nothing else from Newcastle.”
The emergence of the Longstaff brothers has been a huge positive for Newcastle.
“It’s a great story. The two lads, the passion of their interview post-Manchester United was great to see,” Lampard said.
“They’re good footballers who have got a real passion for their club. I know their fans will obviously appreciate that.
“They’ll be tough competitors because they’re good players who put their foot in and they care about their club.”