Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run to six Premier League games but still trail leaders Manchester City by 11 points. Clinching a top four place must be their main aim and they can boost their chances with a home win over Newcastle United. Midweek saw a less than convincing 1-0 win over Swansea City with their manager sent to the stands after arguing over a corner. Conte’s unsettling night was at least tempered by another three points at home, their third in a row.
With this home game against Newcastle who are down in 12th after their midweek draw at West Brom, followed by games at West Ham and Huddersfield, they have the chance to get a good winning run together. It might be worth leaving a bet on this game until the teams are named.
Conte left Eden Hazard and Danny Drinkwater out of the starting line-up in the win over Swansea City. With this being their third game in a week and a Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, there could be a few changes again. Despite the concerns that Conte has about the depth of the Chelsea squad, they should have enough in the can to be able to beat Newcastle United at home.
It was all looking rather bleak for Newcastle United on Tuesday when they trailed West Brom 2-0. They were heading for their fifth straight league defeat but two second-half goals, including a Johnny Evans own-goal, salvaged a point for United.
They come into this game in 12th place in the Premier League and only five points above the relegation zone. It’s a time of uncertainty at Newcastle and the off-the-field worries with the club up for sale look as if they might be affecting performances on the pitch. Manager Rafael Benitez knows his squad needs strengthening but has no idea what financial budget will be handed to him in January.
His side could do with some new defenders with 11 goals conceded in the last five league games. Up front isn’t that much better with Newcastle having failed to score in a league game six times already this season. With three players joint top scorers on two goals, they lack firepower and regardless of how much money Benitez has to spend, he must find someone who can score the goals that will keep his side in the Premier League.
Newcastle have a poor record against Chelsea and this is one of those kind of fixtures that they will be glad to have behind them. Following this game, they have home two home matches against Leicester City and Everton and that’s where they must start earning points again.
Conclusion
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games but still needing to rely on a Manchester City collapse to have a chance of retaining their Premier League title. They are three points behind second-placed Manchester United and could end the weekend level on points with them with a win here and United losing at Arsenal.
Newcastle come into the game with just one point from their five league games and if they don’t get back in form soon then they could find themselves in a relegation battle, which isn’t going to delight their new owners, whoever they may be, one little bit. Defence is a worry for them with only one clean sheet in the last ten games and this game looks booked for a Chelsea home win to keep up the pressure on the Manchester clubs.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Chelsea – WDWWW
Newcastle United – DLLLL
Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings
13/02/16 – Chelsea 5 Newcastle United 1
26/09/15 -Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 2
10/01/15- Chelsea 2 Newcastle United 0
06/12/14 – Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 1
08/02/14 – Chelsea 3 Newcastle United 0
- Chelsea have won their last four home games against Newcastle United by an aggregate score of 12-1.
- Five of the last seven games between these two sides have had over 2.5 goals scored in them.
- Newcastle United have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1986.
- Chelsea have won four of their last six home league games, the only defeat being by Manchester City.
- Only Roma have beaten Chelsea in their last ten games.
- Newcastle United have two points from their last five away Premier league games.
- Newcastle United have just one win in their last 18 away Premier League games.
- Newcastle United have conceded in 18 of their last 20 away Premier League matches.