Verdict: Newcastle double chance
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to extend their stay in the Champions League spots this weekend, Chelsea will travel to St. James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime when they meet Newcastle.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, dragging themselves to an EFL Cup semi-final spot earlier in the week as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 win against Fulham, Newcastle will be looking to use their dramatic late flurry as a platform to build on. However, suffering real heartbreak away at Premier League returners and arch-rivals Sunderland last weekend, Eddie Howe’s men have struggled to find any kind of fluidity over the past few weeks. Still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League standings, it has also been suggested that the ex-Bournemouth boss does find some increasing pressure on his shoulders. Nevertheless, including their EFL Cup success on Wednesday night, it should be noted that the Magpies are unbeaten in all of their last nine consecutive showdowns at St. James’ Park (eight wins, one draw).
Newcastle Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Newcastle are once again expected to be unable to call upon the likes of Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and England international Kieran Trippier. While Nick Pope might be inching towards a first-team return, the former Burnley goalkeeper remains a doubt this weekend.
While summer recruit and former Brentford striker Yoane Wissa might have opened his Newcastle account with an EFL Cup strike against Fulham in midweek, the Congo international will likely settle for a spot on the bench here. The Likes of Anthony Elanga, Sandro Tonali and Brazilian international Joelinton should all be handed full recalls.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, avoiding what would have been an infamous EFL Cup exit away at League One outfit Cardiff earlier in the week as they eventually left Wales with a 3-1 victory, it is no secret that Enzo Maresca’s men are seeking some recent stability. Nevertheless, last seen in Premier League action clinching a 2-0 win at home against Everton, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad find a route back into the Champions League spots. Collecting a heavyweight European scalp last month as they stormed their way to an empathic 3-0 romp against Spanish icons Barcelona, Chelsea have demonstrated that they can cause any of Europe’s elite some major questions. However, facing what is a stern challenge when they travel to Tyneside this weekend, the Blues do hold a nightmare record at St. James’ Park. Along with losing their previous three consecutive trips to Newcastle by an aggregate score of 8-1, they have also failed to win any of their last five trips (four defeats, one draw).
Chelsea Team News
Yet to make a single appearance this season, England international Levi Colwill remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Likewise, former Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia is still dealing with a thigh issue and will not feature at St. James’ Park.
Handed a full EFL Cup rest away at Cardiff on Tuesday night, attacking talisman Cole Palmer will be handed a full recall. Coming off the bench and bagging a brace in midweek, summer recruit and former Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.
Newcastle vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- When Newcastle last welcomed Chelsea to St. James’ Park back on May 11th, the Magpies collected a 2-0 victory.
- Newcastle have won all of their last three showdowns against Chelsea on Tyneside by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Chelsea have failed to win any of their previous five trips to St. James’ Park (four defeats, one draw).
- Newcastle are unbeaten in all of their previous nine consecutive showdowns at St. James’ Park (eight wins, one draw).
- Portugesse international Pedro Neto has registered six direct goal contributions in his previous nine appearances.
Conclusion
Landing consecutive 2-0 victories in Chelsea’s last two trips to St. James’ Park, Newcastle should be confident of claiming another heavyweight scalp here. Seeking an immediate Premier League response this weekend, Saturday’s hosts have certainly gained a fearsome reputation for their dominance on home soil. In fact, winning each of their previous three home fixtures against Chelsea by an aggregate score of 8-1, Howe’s side have also not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of September. Although the Blues might have claimed a much-welcomed boost over the past week, Chelsea should face another tricky test outside of west London.
Verdict: Newcastle double chance
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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