Prediction: Chelsea vs Newcastle

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, Chelsea will welcome Newcastle to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have been left disappointed last weekend as they marked their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 loss against Liverpool, the Blues certainly claimed an immediate response on Thursday night. Storming their way to a routine 4-1 romp away at Panathinaikos, Enzo Maresca has certainly impressed many since arriving at Stamford Bridge over the summer. With their sights firmly set on booking a top-four return this season, the former Leicester boss will be excited by a return to west London here. Aside from that 2-1 loss in the red half of Merseyside last weekend, that is the only defeat that Chelsea’s have suffered from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Likewise, landing an action-packed 3-2 win when they last welcomed Newcastle to Stamford Bridge back on March 11th, Maresca will be calling on a repeat display here.

Team News

All omitted from Chelsea’s Europa League squad and not travelling to Greece on Thursday evening, the likes of Reece James, Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana and Cole Palmer will all be handed a full recall here. Likewise, former Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will return between the sticks and replace summer recruit Filip Jorgensen.

Bagging a Europa League brace away at Panathinaikos in midweek, Joao Felix will be hoping to make a first Premier League start since returning to Stamford Bridge over the summer. Jadon Sancho could also be recalled to Maresca’s starting XI this weekend.

Newcastle

As for the visitors, while Newcastle might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the new campaign, Eddie Howe’s side are desperately seeking a recent boost. With it suggested that the former Bournemouth boss has some mounting pressure on his shoulders at St. James’ Park, the Magpies have now failed to win any of their previous four consecutive Premier League appearances. Marking their return from October’s international break with another worrying performance as they Gell to a 1-0 loss at home against Brighton, Sunday’s guests have a real battle on their hands in the race to book a lucrative European return this season. Heading into October’s fortnight interval with a 0-0 stalemate against Everton, Newcastle have also shown some recent issues in the final third. In fact, Howe’s squad have failed to record more than a single strike in any of their last five matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Newcastle have already confirmed that Dutch defender Sven Botman will not travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Missing out against Brighton last weekend, Howe’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of Kieran Trippier.

Making a timely return at St. James’ Park last week, attacking talisman Alexander Isak will be looking to record a second Premier League strike of the season here. Putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal earlier in the week, England international Anthony Gordon will join Isak in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Chelsea and Newcastle last met back on March 11th, the Blues collected an action-packed 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.
• Newcastle have failed to record a single victory in west London since way back win May 2012.
• Chelsea’s 2-1 loss against Liverpool last weekend was their first Premier League defeat since back on August 18th.
• Newcastle have failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous four Premier League appearances.
• Each of the last four meetings between Chelsea and Newcastle across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a 4-1 romp away at Panathinaikos on Thursday night and claiming an immediate response, Chelsea should be excited by a return to west London this weekend. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, the Blues will be looking to cash in on a Newcastle squad that find themselves in the midst of a recent wobble. Claiming a 3-2 win when they welcomed the Magpies to town back on March 11th, we are predicting a similar home victory here.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet