Premier League: More Blues to Come for Magpies

Premier League: More Blues to Come for Magpies

Newcastle United vs Chelsea

The new era at Newcastle United is in its early days. Since the Saudis’ takeover, the Premier League strugglers have lost one and drawn one but, despite the fans’ excitement, you wouldn’t expect results immediately. 

And this weekend they face Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, one of the two teams with a realistic chance of wrestling the league title away from Manchester City. 

The latest Premier League 2021 betting odds make Chelsea third favourites to win the title at a price of 3.75, marginally adrift of Liverpool at odds of 3.50. Reigning champions City are set at 1.90 here at SBOTOP, to retain their title and they are expected to beat Crystal Palace this weekend.  

Chelsea have made a fast start and are currently top of the league table while Newcastle are 19th. Fast forward two or three seasons and this might easily be a top-four clash between the team bankrolled by Roman Abramovich since the early 2000s and the club now hoping to be lifted out of the gloom by a new, stratospheric level of riches.  

But here and now, Chelsea desperately need a win to keep their foot in at the very top of the table, while Newcastle would bite your hand off for a point to avoid losing touch with the teams above the safety line.   

Talking Points

Sacking Bruce isn’t guaranteed to save Newcastle  

Make no mistake, the Magpies have a huge task in front of them over the next seven months to preserve their Premier League status. The new owners have installed Graeme Jones as interim head coach after leaving Steve Bruce to take charge of his 1,000th match as a manager in a home match against Spurs, which almost inevitably ended in defeat. 

Newcastle picked up a point away to Crystal Palace last week, thanks to a stunning overhead kick from Callum Wilson, and they were saved by VAR when Christian Benteke’s late header was ruled out for an infringement in the build up.

Wilson’s goal was Newcastle’s only effort on target in the entire game and that’s something Jones, who has been hired initially for two games while the owners seek a permanent head coach, will try to address on Saturday.

Newcastle’s survival this season will depend much on the form and fitness of Allan Saint-Maximin, who has pretty much kept the Magpies in the top flight over the past two seasons with his direct running and eye for a goal. 

The January transfer window is notoriously difficult for buyers and whoever manages Newcastle through the transition will have to either work with the current squad or risk bringing in overpriced players who won’t necessarily fit in…and the Magpies fans have seen enough of that over the past few seasons!      

Chelsea delighted by Mount’s return to form 

Tuchel scan be pleased with his achievements at Chelsea during his first year as head coach which, only three quarters of the way through, has already yielded a Champions League triumph. He’s put together a team with a core of youth and experience, World Cup winner N’Golo Kante alongside young England star Mason Mount. 

There is plenty of competition for places in midfield with Jorginho, who captained the side last week against Norwich, one of the first names in the team sheet, while Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz are all pushing for starts. Saul Niguez stepped in for the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in midweek and he is keen to make his mark at Stamford Bridge too.  

Mount was a revelation for club and country last season but still only 22, he has struggled to capture that form so far this term. That was until last week when he hit a hat-trick as Chelsea destroyed Norwich City 7-0. These were his first goals in 15 games and he was determined to put an end to that run, which he did so spectacularly. 

His manager didn’t hide his delight at this return to form saying: “A hat-trick for Mason is huge, it’s a massive moment for him; he’s very, very proud. I felt him a bit lighter, plays with a bit more freedom in the last matches. This is what we need.”

Another in-form player, Ben Chilwell, hit the mark against Norwich and that made it three goals on the season for the 24-year-old wing-back. He was unlucky to be injured during Euro 2020, but now he’s fit again he’s one of the best in the business.

History 

The Blues have won 32 of the 59 encounters with Newcastle in the Premier League era while losing 15 and drawing 12. 

Chelsea did the double over the Geordies last season winning both meetings 2-0.

Chelsea are on a winning run of five, while Newcastle are winless in ten outings in all competitions. 

Betting Tip

Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.00

At 8.20 to win and 4.55 to draw the new era Newcastle looks likely to start with an old era result! Chelsea are at 1.35 to win and with such an array of riches at his disposal Tuchel will expect to take all three points back to London. And the most likely score line is another 0-2 Chelsea win at odds of 5.60.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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