Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described this weekend's Premier League clash against Newcastle United as one of their "most difficult" encounters.

The Blues head into the match two points adrift of Arsenal, who currently top the table on 22 points, while Newcastle reside nine places below this weekend's opponents.

"We have one of the most difficult matches of the whole season, but we want to try and keep winning," Mourinho said in a press conference.

The Blues have won their last three league encounters.