Newcastle v Chelsea- Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Newcastle host Chelsea at St James’ Park on Saturday evening in a massive fixture for both teams. The Magpies are in sensational form with the league’s best defensive record and just one loss all season. Graham Potter’s side are suffering from the Blues with no wins in five domestic fixtures and the risk of going into the World Cup break outside the top seven.

Newcastle Form

Eddie Howe has done a remarkable job at Newcastle with 19 wins in their last 33 league fixtures going back to last season. This term, they sit third in the table with just one loss in 14. After winning just once in their first seven Premier League fixtures, they’ve won six of their last seven. They thrashed Fulham 4-1 and Brentford 5-1 before a 0-0 draw at Man Utd.

They’ve won four in a row since then, beating Everton 1-0, winning 2-1 at Tottenham, crushing Aston Villa 4-0 and winning 4-1 at Southampton in their last league match. In midweek, they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup before winning on penalties.

Newcastle Team News

Newcastle are without high-money signing Alexander Isak up front but Callum Wilson is fit to play after suffering from illness. Squad players like Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie are injury doubts but wouldn’t have started anyway.

Eddie Howe rested the majority of his side in midweek so all of those players will return nice and fresh. Joelinton is back from a suspension and will start, either in the midfield three or down the left. Allan Saint-Maximin is fit after injury but may need to settle for a place amongst the subs.

Newcastle Motivation

The Toon will go all out to win this match in front of their vocal supporters. A victory would confirm Newcastle as real top-four contenders going into the mid-season break.

Such is their fine form that a draw would feel like a disappointing result. Newcastle will be quite attacking but not reckless in how they approach this match.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea are five domestic matches without victory, losing three of those. Even before that, their victory at Aston Vila came when conceding 2.10 Expected Goals. Since then, it’s successive draws at Brentford (0-0) and versus Man Utd (1-1 in the last minute). Graham Potter’s side then went to Brighton and were beaten 4-1.

A 2-1 at home to Dinamo Zagreb in a dead rubber followed. But the side were beaten 1-0 at Arsenal in a lifeless performance. In midweek, a heavily-rotated side lost 2-0 at Man City in the Carabao Cup. It was a better performance with three big chances created, but defensive weaknesses were visible again.

Chelsea Team News

Graham Potter is still without several injured players. There is no Kepa in goal or Wesley Fofana in defence, whilst wingbacks Reece James and Ben Chilwell both miss out. Jorginho should return to start in midfield with N’Golo Kante still absent.

Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling will be recalled in attack alongside Kai Havertz. Young wingback Lewis Hall is pushing for a Premier League debut on the left.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea would probably be quite satisfied with a draw considering their current poor form. Newcastle sits six points clear of the Blues so a defeat is unthinkable. This is a must-not-lose.

Potter will set his side up to play out from the back and to look to keep the ball but he will have to be mindful of Newcastle’s pace down the sides on the counter-attack.

Key Stats

Newcastle have won 6 of their last 7 PL matches

Newcastle have lost just 1 of their last 17 home PL matches (11W, 5D)

Newcastle have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 8 PL matches at St. James’ Park

Chelsea are winless in 5 domestic matches (DDLLL)

Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 6 matches

Chelsea have won their last 4 PL matches against Newcastle

Verdict

Newcastle are big favourites for this match because of their outstanding form, especially at home. Chelsea have a good record against the Magpies but It’s hard to back them in their current slump.