Premier League: Can Chelsea Give Magpies More Blues?

Newcastle United vs Chelsea

Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino come face to face in Newcastle on Saturday in a six pointer between two of the Premier League’s powerhouses.    

In years gone by this fixture, Premier League: Newcastle United vs Chelsea was a nailed on away win, a title contender heading north to heap pain on a perennial struggler…but how times have changed.

Over the first decade or so of the 21^st Century Chelsea were the bankrolled club which won plenty of titles while Newcastle made the odd appearance in the top flight before heading back to obscurity. Then came the investment from the Saudi Investment Fund in 2021 and the Magpies have since soared, now taking part in the Champions League.

Last season and this so far, Newcastle have looked down on Chelsea from the higher reaches of the top flight but the Blues have the look of a team which is making a fight back. Last time out the Magpies went down to a shock 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth while Pochettino’s team was playing out a thrilling draw with Manchester City, and that on the back of a 4-1 win over earlier league leaders Tottenham Hotspur. 

Chelsea are back in the top half of the Premier League table, in tenth place and only four points behind Newcastle in seventh, and the Newcastle United vs Chelsea betting odds point to a fascinating clash between two hugely ambitious clubs.

Talking Points

The Magpies are depleted  

Recent defeats in the Premier League and the Champions League haven’t exactly burst the Geordies’ balloon, but add the downturn in form to the Magpies’ lengthy injury list then it does become a worry. Midfield star Sean Longstaff is a serious doubt with an ankle injury and full back Lewis Hall is ineligible to play against his former club. They join top scorer Callum Wilson, defenders Dan Burn and Sven Botman and wide men Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy in the treatment room, while summer signing Sandro Tonali is serving a lengthy ban for betting irregularities.

There is better news from striker Alexander Isak who should be fit to play having shaken off a groin injury and midfield general Bruno Guimaraes who is back from suspension.  

The Magpies have struggled in the Champions League of late and a recent clash with Borussia Dortmund ended in defeat which left them bottom of Group F and now with a huge mountain to climb; and they are already six points behind fourth placed Tottenham in the Premier League.           

The SBOTOP odds give the Geordies a slight edge in this game, but their visitors will arrive at St James Park in confident mood. 

Chelsea beginning to look settled  

Chelsea fans may just have recovered from the 4-4 draw with Manchester City before the break and while their hosts are counting their fit players, Pochettino’s side is finding its feet. After spending £1bn on players since the arrival of new owner Todd Boehly the West London club looked distinctly unbalanced, with a whole raft of talented youngsters who looked dazzled in the glare of the Premier League.

Pochettino was drafted in to bring some cohesion and he’s clearly a talented coach and an inspirational motivator. And there are signs that the Argentine boss is getting it right as his team has scored eight goals in their last two games, against Manchester City and Spurs. One player who is sure to feature in the Newcastle United vs Chelsea highlights is Nicolas Jackson who has scored six goals and picked up seven yellow cards in his first season at the club, and his hat-trick against Spurs gave him a real boost. And there may be more good news to come; as Chelsea’s summer marquee signing, Christopher Nkunku, has returned to training and rumours are swirling around London that he might even be on the coach to Newcastle.

Wingback Reece James should be fit to take his place as captain; he missed England’s recent games to concentrate on his fitness, while Cole Palmer, who scored the late leveller against Manchester City, is ready to start up front alongside the in-form Raheem Sterling and Jackson.          

History

With 34 wins to 16 in the Premier League era, Chelsea have been dominant over the Magpies though, last season, Newcastle won this fixture 1-0 before the two teams drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. 

Newcastle have won two of their last six games, drawing one and losing three, while Chelsea are improving and have won three, drawn two and lost one.    

Betting Tip

Newcastle are the favourites to win this game, at odds of 2.37, with Chelsea at 2.59 and the draw is at 3.11. St James’ Park can be a daunting place to go, but the Londoners have found a swagger in recent weeks and they will head north without fear.   

 

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