Newcastle United vs Chelsea
These clubs used to have a lot in common.
Giants of the game in the north-west and capital of England but bereft of modern-day silverware.
The odd memorable day aside, their followers were generally left pining for more. Chelsea tasted some success in the late ’90s and early 2000s while Newcastle secured back-to-back runners-up spots in the Premier League, but it was the memories of the 1969 Fairs Cup (Newcastle), the 1970 FA Cup (Chelsea) and the 1971 European Cup Winners Cup (Chelsea) that kept them sustained for so long.
Then Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich waltzed into English football and Chelsea became a dominant force.
Talking Points
Now, the Premier League clubs are as far apart as they have been for some time.
Knowledgeable SBOBET followers will tell you Newcastle fans are completely fed up with the Mike Ashley model.
A Newcastle supporting friend of mine told me this week that in the decade before Ashley arrived, Newcastle were never relegated and finished second, fourth, third, fifth and seventh. They also reached the FA Cup Final and semi-final twice, had a world-record signing in the team and even played in the Champions League, the UEFA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup.
Since taking the club over in the summer of 2007, the Toon have been relegated twice. Furthermore, aside from a fine fifth place in 2012, they have not been above 10th position in the top flight since the year before Ashley’s arrival.
Fittingly, for a club in the famous stripes, it’s all in black and white.
The money the club made last season was not insignificant.
Club funds, television cash, prize money, sponsors, outgoing transfers—yet still next to nothing is spent on players.
No wonder so many supporters boycott Ashley’s Sports Direct empire and, in a perverse way, some even hope their favourite Rafa Benitez may resign as boss and cause life to become so difficult for Ashley that he sells the club.
Life has become so unbearable for some of the Toon Army that a group of fans have recently set up a website directing them to hit the controversial owner where it really hurts—in the pockets.
He remains in post though and the Geordies continue to battle, with Benitez’s talents keeping them afloat.
The Spaniard clearly sees the potential of the club which would surely be more valuable with a little investment.
Perhaps Ashley is wise. After all, a substantial spree in January 2016 significantly strengthened the team yet they were relegated four months later.
That debate is for others but Newcastle certainly need something, even if they did push Spurs close on opening day before a draw at newly promoted Cardiff last weekend.
Benitez is arguably the only link between the two clubs right now because their respective Premier League 2018 odds are poles apart.
He guided Chelsea to a Europa League triumph during a caretaker spell in 2013, an interim period which earned him nothing but grudging respect.
There was too much animosity from the Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry during his time at Anfield for that.
Unlike Newcastle, Chelsea have made a fine start to the season.
Winning two out of two and following up a comprehensive victory at Huddersfield by edging Arsenal in a five-goal thriller last weekend.
But history tells us they have not always fared so well in the north-east cauldron of St. James’ Park.
History
Last season, Chelsea travelled to St. James on the final day of the league season with hopes still alive to seal a Champions League spot.
They were well beaten 3-0 by a rampant home side, a result and performance which seemed to nail a coffin in Antonio Conte’s time in charge at Stamford Bridge even though he guided them to the FA Cup a week later.
On that occasion, Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez spoiled what turned out to be Thibaut Courtois’ final Premier League game for the west Londoners.
Chelsea had seen off Newcastle at home earlier in the campaign in both the league and FA Cup, but it’s on Tyneside where they have struggled.
Think back to December 2014 when Papiss Cisse’s double defeated the side that would go on to win the title under Jose Mourinho.
Think back to a year earlier when the ‘French connection’ of Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy—a player Mourinho later signed—consigned Chelsea to defeat.
Think back to February 2013 when Benitez had just been appointed at Chelsea and saw a debut double from Moussa Sissoko overturn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 Geordie victory.
Happy times indeed for Newcastle supporters.
Chelsea haven’t won in Newcastle’s home turf since December 2011. So will there be some Premier League 2018 highlights from this fixture for the Magpies to cheer and add to their memory bank?
Newcastle will certainly fancy it this time too!
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Newcastle United vs Chelsea | 1X2 Draw @ 3.85 |
| August 26, 23:00 (GMT+8) |
Newcastle often seem to raise their game against the aristocrats from Chelsea, and I expect no less from them this time. With that said, I predict them to give the Blues a tough time and even come out with a point.
Another interesting bet worth considering is Newcastle Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.07. And how about plenty of goals—total goal 4-6 to be precise—that pay out at 3.50?
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
