Prediction: Newcastle vs Chelsea

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: BetUS

Newcastle and Chelsea will square off in a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at St James’ Park on Wednesday, just three days after their Premier League battle at Stamford Bridge.

The Magpies, eager to overcome their rocky start to the season, will look to secure a morale-boosting victory and advance to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Chelsea, enjoying a strong start to their campaign, will aim to maintain momentum by progressing further in the competition.

Newcastle

Following a promising start to the season, Newcastle’s bid to return to the Champions League has stumbled in recent weeks. After finishing seventh last season, just three points shy of Chelsea’s Conference League spot, the Magpies aimed to leverage their lack of European commitments this year to push for a top-four finish. However, their campaign has lost some momentum as winter approaches, with the team currently on a five-game winless run in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s form dip was underlined by Sunday’s narrow 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea edged them out with goals from Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer. Although Alexander Isak briefly restored parity, his struggles in front of goal – just two goals in seven league appearances – highlight Newcastle’s offensive concerns.

In the Carabao Cup, Eddie Howe’s side began their journey with a penalty-shootout victory over Nottingham Forest in the second round, followed by a narrow third-round win over AFC Wimbledon, thanks to a Fabian Schar penalty. The Magpies, who last lifted major silverware in 1955, will see this competition as a realistic opportunity to end their trophy drought, having reached the final most recently in 2022/23.

Team News

Newcastle face a potential setback with the fitness of Anthony Gordon, who missed the recent match at Stamford Bridge after sustaining a groin injury in training. Awaiting the results of a scan, manager Eddie Howe will be hoping his influential winger will be available soon.

With Callum Wilson also sidelined due to a back injury and Isak only just returning from a toe issue, Howe might look to avoid risking the Swedish striker from the start. As a result, players like Will Osula and Jacob Murphy could feature in the starting lineup.

Howe’s options are also short at the back, with Jamal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier all out of action.

Chelsea

Chelsea will head into Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash at St. James’ Park with renewed confidence following back-to-back wins, including a crucial 2-1 victory over Newcastle that pushed them to fifth in the Premier League standings. With Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson once again on target, Chelsea’s goalscoring strength has shone through, even as they rely on a limited number of players to consistently find the net. A few days before that, the Blues eased past Panathinaikos in the Conference League.

Having thrashed Barrow 5-0 in the third round, thanks to Christopher Nkunku’s standout hat-trick, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will likely rotate his squad again, offering more opportunities to fringe players who have impressed in cup competitions. As Chelsea look to reclaim EFL Cup glory, a trophy they last lifted in the 2014/15 season, they’ll be eager to maintain momentum and edge closer to another final.

Team News

Following their Premier League win on Sunday, Maresca is expected to make substantial changes, reintroducing several players who featured prominently in their 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Joao Felix, both influential in that match, are likely to return to the starting lineup, providing fresh energy and creativity.

Ben Chilwell remains Chelsea’s only potential absentee, with the defender’s availability in doubt due to illness, which has kept him from training.

Conclusion

With both sides expected to field makeshift lineups, squad depth will play a crucial part in this contest, and it should swing the tie in favour of the visitors from London.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: BetUS