A new look Chelsea are scheduled to take on a very strong Newcastle United squad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 25 August, with the defending European champions, led by Roberto Di Matteo, surely keen on retaining their place at the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea have started the 2012/13 English Premier League campaign with two consecutive wins over Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic and newly promoted Reading.
On the other side of the touchline, Newcastle United started their league season on a winning note despite a solid performance from Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea Player to Watch: Eden Hazard
New signing Eden Hazard has been, without a shadow of a doubt, the Blues’ most dangerous attacking option through their first two league matches.
The Belgian international has played a part in five of Chelsea’s six goals thus far, tallying three assists and draw two penalties, which were subsequently converted by none other than Frank Lampard.
Hazard may fancy his chances against Newcastle left-back Davide Santon, who struggled to cope with Aaron Lennon and Kyle Walker in the Magpies opening win over Spurs.
With that said, Hazard is the man to watch at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Newcastle United Player to Watch: Papiss Demba Cissé
Papiss Cissé scored 13 league goals in 14 appearances (13 starts) for Newcastle last term, but out of those 13 goals, one stands alone.
The Senegalese talisman, who scored the “Goal of the Season” against Chelsea last term, had a very quiet afternoon against Spurs on the first day of the season.
Expect Cissé to be much more involved against the Blues on Saturday, with Demba Ba taking a withdrawn role behind his fellow countryman.
Premier League Betting Odds: Chelsea v Newcastle United
Chelsea (1/2) v Newcastle United (11/2); Draw (10/3)
*Over 2.5 Total Goals (13/20)
Under 2.5 Total Goals (6/5)
First Goalscorers: Fernando Torres (10/3), Frank Lampard (13/2), Papiss Demba Cissé (17/2) and Demba Ba (12/1)
*Bet of the Day
Prediction: Chelsea v Newcastle United
Chelsea 3 – Newcastle United 2
Wigan accept Blues’ bid for Moses
According to Sky Sports, Wigan Athletic have accepted Chelsea’s latest bid for star winger Victor Moses.
“The club can confirm that after four unsuccessful bids from Chelsea for Victor Moses, a fifth bid has today finally met the valuation and terms set by Wigan Athletic and been accepted,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“The player has been given permission to speak with Chelsea.”
Moses started and played all 90 minutes against Chelsea on the opening day of the season, with his guile and trickery winning three free-kicks for the Latics.
The 21-year-old, who can play on either flank, gives Roberto Di Matteo a really good option out wide, adding to Chelsea’s embarrassment of riches.
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