Chelsea host Newcastle United in the FA Cup Fourth Round off the back of being knocked out of the EFL Cup at the Semi Final stage by Arsenal in midweek. Antonio Conte may well now view the FA Cup as his best chance of winning some silverware this season and he’ll be targeting a win against Newcastle United on Sunday. For Newcastle, who currently sit just a single point above the relegation places, Rafael Benitez may well view the FA Cup as an unwelcome distraction with his main focus being on keeping The Magpies in the Premier League.
English FA Cup – Chelsea v Newcastle United – Stamford Bridge, London – Sunday 28th January 2018 – 13:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 13/4 at Ladbrokes |
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Chelsea
Newcastle UnitedChelsea
Chelsea’s form has been a little patchy of late, with the Blues winning only one of their last seven matches in normal time. A run of three successive 0-0 draws highlighted the problems Antonio Conte’s side have faced in front of goal, and with Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi both struggling, Eden Hazard started the game against Arsenal as the main striker. There has been talk of discontent amongst Chelsea board members this week because of Conte’s comments on the clubs transfer dealings and most people expect the Italian to depart at the end of the current campaign.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have really struggled in the last few months, winning just two of their last 15 matches in the Premier League and with the rumoured takeover of the club now seemingly dead in the water, it could well be a long season for Newcastle fans. In their last match, they were comfortably brushed aside 3-1 by runaway leaders Manchester City and fans will be fearing a repeat of that against Chelsea on Sunday.
Talking Points
1. Last time these two sides met at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.
2. With Chelsea out of the EFL Cup, well behind Manchester City in the league and facing Barcelona in the Champions League, the FA Cup represents their best chance of silverware this season.
3. Alvaro Morata has gone six games without finding the net for Chelsea.
Chelsea v Newcastle United – Betting Odds and Prediction
I think Rafael Benitez will make a whole host of changes to his Newcastle United side for this game with his focus being on survival in the Premier League and so I can only see this game going one way. Antonio Conte has a strong record in the domestic cup competitions and he does seem to take them very seriously, so he should name a strong Chelsea team here. Goals have been an issue for Chelsea in lots of games recently, but with Newcastle looking pretty open at the back this season, I think they’ll have too much for The Magpies.
Top Betting Tip Chelsea v Newcastle United
Chelsea start this game as 1/2 favourites, whilst an away win for Newcastle United is priced up at 7, with the draw available at 13/4. With Newcastle United likely to name a weakened side for this one, I can’t see them troubling the score sheet, so the 10/11 on BTTS (NO) looks like a good bet to me. I also think that Chelsea and Under 2.5 goals at 29/10 could well be a decent bet too, with Chelsea also being pretty goal shy of late.
BTTS (NO) – 10/11 (Coral)