Premier League: Chelsea Searching for Some London Pride

Chelsea vs Newcastle United

The 2022/23 demise of Chelsea has taken up a fair few column inches, here at SBOTOP and in just about every news outlet on the planet. It’s a fascinating story of a club in transition, some would say turmoil.

Those heady days of the reign of Roman Abramovich, Premier League titles and European crowns seems a long, long way away for the club which now sits 12^th in the league table and simply can’t wait for the season to end. There’s nothing really riding on this match, other than a final position in the table but Premier League: Chelsea vs Newcastle United is a fascinating clash nevertheless.

While Blues fans are suffering the Magpies faithful are ecstatic, having just qualified for the 2023/24 Champions League. So there will be a party atmosphere in the away end at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but, in their last game of the campaign the Chelsea supporters just want a win, to beat a top four side and to regain some pride.   

Talking Points

Are Chelsea getting punch drunk?

Frank Lampard’s young side has had a brutal time of it over recent weeks, playing some of the best teams In Europe and racking up losses to Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City. And before they meet Newcastle they face another top four side on Thursday night, when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.    

You could almost feel sorry for the Blues when they lost 1-0 away to Manchester City as the hosts celebrated their league triumph and rested most of their best players as they coasted to a 1-0 win, while the fans waited for the main event of the trophy presentation. Chelsea didn’t lay a glove on their super relaxed hosts and the crowd only got off their seats once in the 90 minutes, when Julian Alvarez scored in the 12^th minute.

Make no mistake, there is plenty of talent in this Chelsea squad, but most of the big money signings this year have been relatively inexperienced and the Premier League is an unforgiving place to be, with no time allowed to get your bearings. But some pundits are predicting a strong recovery for the Blues next season with the arrival as Mauricio Pochettino as head coach and no European distraction.       

And the Chelsea vs Newcastle United betting odds reckon Lamps could sign off with a win, though the Magpies are at a slightly lower price.    

Newcastle’s work is done

The Magpies drew 0-0 with Leicester City on Monday night and also shared the points with another relegation candidate last time they were on the road, drawing 2-2 with Leeds United. But they have done what they needed to do to qualify for the 2023/24 Champions League. The match with the relegation-threatened Foxes was a curious affair as Newcastle won the shot count by 23 to one and hit the woodwork three times; but keeper Nick Pope was called on to make a brilliant save to deny Timothy Castagne in injury time and see his team over the line. Striker Callum Wilson has been sensational this season, scoring 18 goals and making five assists in 30 games. He was one of the unlucky players to be denied by the woodwork on Monday and he is the most likely player to breach the Chelsea defence.   

Head coach Eddie Howe has done a great job to guide his team to the Champions League, earlier than expected. But human nature dictates that, with the work done and no potential impact on other teams in this final game, the Newcastle players may find it hard to maintain their level of intensity.   

History

With 34 victories to 16 in the Premier League era, the Blues have had much the better of the head-to-head Chelsea vs Newcastle United results, though the Magpies picked up a 1-0 win in the return match at St James’ Park.

But Newcastle haven’t won on their last ten trips to Stamford Bridge and, in terms of very recent form there isn’t a huge amount between the two sides; Chelsea have won one, drawn one and lost three of the last five, while Newcastle have won two, drawn two and lost one with a significantly easier fixture list.       

Betting Tip

Chelsea are priced at 2.62 to beat the Geordies who can be backed at 2.32 to win or 3.16 to draw. I can see the hosts winning this, as their visitors deserve a breather after their brilliant season… and Chelsea owe their fans big time. 

 

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