Chelsea vs Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Blues have won just two of their last six home league matches. Newcastle have won three of their last four away matches, but have lost 11 of their last 12 EPL matches at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea are having a rough patch. It’s just two wins in six home league matches and three wins in their last seven overall fixtures in all competitions. A 2-2 draw vs Leeds at home came after outshooting their opponents 19-4. A 4-0 win at Hull City followed in the FA Cup before a 1-1 home draw vs Burnley with ten men.

Chelsea lost 2-1 away to Arsenal after a red card before a fine 4-1 win away at Aston Villa. On Saturday, they beat Wrexham 4-2 in the FA Cup after extra time. On Wednesday, the Blues were thrashed 5-2 away by PSG despite allowing just nine shots and 0.90 xG.

Chelsea Team News

Centre back Levi Colwill is still out injured but wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao should return to the squad. This is a key game, but there may be some changes.

If Liam Rosenior rotates his XI, then Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia and Alejandro Garnacho are the main options to start. Robert Sanchez could replace error-ridden Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues are all but out of the Champions League. Considering that Man Utd face Aston Villa in this gameweek, this is a must-win match for Chelsea.

They will try to attack and give a response for their fans.

Newcastle Form

Newcastle’s last 14 matches have seen seven defeats. They’ve won three of their last four away matches but it’s five losses in nine home fixtures. A 2-1 defeat away to Man City was followed by a 3-2 home win over Qarabag. They lost 3-2 at home to Everton in a poor display.

A very late 2-1 home win with ten men vs Man Utd was a famous result. They lost 3-1 at home to Man City to exit the FA Cup but got a good result in midweek. A 1-1 home draw vs Barcelona saw the Magpies concede with the last kick of the game.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe is without defenders Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth. Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are absent in midfield.

Anthony Gordon should be fit enough to start after a knock. Eddie Howe could rotate his XI ahead of a key trip to Spain. Tino Livramento, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy are set to be handed starts.

Newcastle Motivation

Newcastle tend to lose this fixture. A draw at Stamford Bridge would feel like a good result.

The players will have one eye on the Barcelona match next Tuesday. The Magpies languish 12^th in the table and don’t have much to play for in league action.

Key Stats

• Chelsea have kept just 3 clean sheets in their last 22 matches (Both Teams Scored in 18/22)
• Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has scored 10 goals in his last 11 matches
• Newcastle have lost 7 of their last 14 matches (all competitions).
• Newcastle have lost 11 of their last 12 away league matches vs Chelsea

Verdict

The Blues need a response and face a distracted Toon side with a poor record in this fixture. I see both sides scoring in a Chelsea win.

Best Bet: Chelsea win and both teams to score at 2.90

Goalscorer Tip: Joao Pedro to score anytime at 2.15