The English Premier League continues this weekend, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Chelsea vs. Newcastle United match. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Chelsea vs. Newcastle United
Three-Way: 1: Chelsea -294; X: +575 Draw; 2: Newcastle United +1400 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Chelsea -120; Newcastle United +122
Total +3: Over +108; Under -111
CHELSEA
The Blues are in a fine run of five matches without a defeat, conceding just one goal in the process, and scoring 11 in return. Chelsea beat Swansea 1:0 at home in the latest Premier League game, thanks to Antonio Rudiger’s goal in the 55th minute, and those three points left Chelsea in the 3rd position with 29 points, 14 more than Newcastle and 11 behind the league leaders Man City. Lukasz Fabianski had a great day at Stamford Bridge, saving nine out of ten shots attempted toward his net, but was unable to keep Rudiger’s rebound after a corner. Chelsea’s forwards were patient and created plenty of goal-scoring chances, but in the end, the centre-back was the one who secured them a victory. Antonio Conte’s side is playing another home match as they are welcoming the Magpies who are struggling at the moment, and Chelsea is a big favorite to book the tenth Premier League win.
Chelsea played 22 games so far in the 2017/18, recording 14 victories, three draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 45:22, which is a bit over three goals per contest on average. The Blues won four consecutive matches at home, and the tradition is on their side when it comes to H2H duels at Stamford Bridge. Conte’s team won four in a row against Newcastle in London, scoring 12 and allowing only one goal, while the Magpies recorded just two victories at Stamford Bridge in the past 19 years and 19 meetings. Last time they met, Chelsea won 5:1, and although I don’t think the result will be the same on Saturday, the hosts could win by two or three goals without problems.
Alvaro Morata is the team’s top scorer with nine goals in 19 appearances, while MichyBatshuayi with seven, and Eden Hazard with six are following him on a goal-scoring chart. Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard are the most creative individuals at Stamford Bridge with six assists apiece, while Willian and Cesar Azpilicueta added five dishes each. Antonio Conte decided to go with Hazard off the bench and started Pedro and Willian behind Morata in the attack, but I think the Belgian will resume with his starting role on this one. Victor Moses returned to the pitch after a month and a half on the sidelines and logged 15 minutes, and although Conte wants to be cautious with the Nigerian winger, he could start instead of Davide Zappacosta. Azpilicueta was an unused substitution, but the Spanish international will likely assume his position at the back, alongside Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger or Andreas Christensen. Conte cannot count on Batshuayi who is out with a malleolar injury and will miss the fifth straight game, while Charly Musonda is sidelined with a knee injury and will not feature in this clash.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies snapped the four-game losing streak with an inspiring comeback against West Brom as they snatched a draw after being two goals down. The Baggies got to a 2:0 lead through Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Field, who scored the first goal at a professional level, but Ciaran Clark cut the lead in the 59 minute before Jonny Evans scored an own goal with just seven minutes to go. Rafa Benitez’s side didn’t deserve to lose this game, and this much-needed points put them in the 12th position in the Premier League with 15 points, five more than the relegation-threatened West Ham. A point at the Hawthorns did end the negative run of four defeats, but Newcastle is without the Premier League win in the previous five and is hard to expect they will get three points at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Newcastle United played 15 games in this campaign, recording four victories, three draws, and eight losses, with a goal difference of 15:22, which is nearly 2.50 goals per contest on average. The Magpies didn’t taste an away win in the last five visits, and the previous time they record three points on the road was back in September at Swansea. That is the only one in the Premier League thus far, and Newcastle is a huge underdog here, so I don’t think they will leave Stamford Bridge with three points in the bag. However, Benitez’s team managed to score five goals in the past four away games, including the one at Old Trafford against Man United, so I wouldn’t exclude them from finding the net behind Thibaut Courtois’ back. The recent H2H history in London is not on Newcastle’s side as they scored just one goal in the previous four visits, conceding 12 in return, and there is no doubt the visitors will have a mountain to climb to stay undefeated on Saturday.
Joselu, Ciaran Clark, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Jamaal Lascelles are currently the team’s leading scorers with a couple of goals apiece. The interesting fact is that two of them are defenders, which suggests inefficiency of the forwards, mainly because Benitez has difficulties to find the striker who will lead the attack consistently. He obviously favors his compatriot Joselu, but the former Stoke forward scored only two goals in 14 appearances, while Ayoze Perez, who is playing behind Joselu in the attack, recorded miserable one goal at the moment. Dwight Gayle and Mitrovic are probably better options for the Magpies, and it is a big question when Benitez will start giving them more playing time. Mitrovic played 60 minutes in the last three Premier League matches, while Gayle didn’t play at the Hawthorns, so I think that one of them could start on Saturday. Matt Ritchie recorded an assist in a draw with West Brom, and that was his sixth dish of the season, and the Scottish international is the best assist-maker at St. James’ Park, so Marcos Alonso will have to pay special attention to Ritchie as he can do damage from the right flank. Rafa Benitez is without the left-winger Christian Atsu who is out with a thigh injury, but he will be available soon as his recovery is progressing really well. The left-back Paul Dummett is also sidelined with a thigh injury, and he is a week away from returning to the pitch, while captain Lascelles is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.
Chelsea vs. Newcastle United – Match Prediction
Newcastle failed to keep the clean sheet in the last five games, and I don’t think they will do it here, so I am backing the hosts to score two or three on this one. Chelsea scored just two goals in the previous two Premier League outings, but this matchup is highly favorable for them, and I believe they will win with ease.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (+108)
