Newcastle United aims to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 12 years, following Papiss Cisse’s sensational brace in May 2012.
Eddie Howe’s players are also seeking vengeance having being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in horrific way earlier this season. A late Kieran Trippier error forced the quarter-final to penalties, which the Magpies eventually lost.
Newcastle haven’t won at Chelsea since Papiss Cisse’s magnificent brace in 2012, but they face a fading force. A young Blues side is 11th in the Premier League, with no signs of improvement under Mauricio Pochettino.
Pressure is mounting on the Argentine, and Monday’s game might be considered as a six-pointer in European football. With a win, Chelsea moves within a point of Newcastle despite playing one fewer game.
A Toon victory would stab another dagger into their ambitions for a continental return. But the commentators are divided, and NewcastleWorld has profiled what they are predicting ahead of the match.
Chris Sutton
Pressure is mounting on the Argentine, and Monday’s game might be considered as a six-pointer in European football. With a win, Chelsea moves within a point of Newcastle despite playing one fewer game.
A Toon victory would stab another dagger into their ambitions for a continental return. But the commentators are divided, and Newcastle World has profiled what they are predicting ahead of the match.
“I could easily end up with zero points this week – and I am not expecting to pick up anything here either,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC. “How can anyone forecast Chelsea versus Newcastle with the inconsistency we’ve seen from both teams recently?
“Which Chelsea team will show up, and which Newcastle side will we see? The Magpies overcame Wolves after a disappointing setback at Arsenal, but they have not won consecutive league games since early December.
“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve backed Chelsea at home and been proven wrong, but surely they’ll win again at Stamford Bridge before the season ends?
I used the law of averages to predict a Newcastle home victory last week, and I’m hoping the same strategy will work this week with Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Paul Merson
“Chelsea are four points behind Newcastle with a game in hand, so this is an absolutely massive game for them,” Merson was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda. “If they win tonight and go on a run, it may not be all doom and gloom for Mauricio Pochettino, whose situation at the club is expected to be re-evaluated at the end of the season.
“The Blues are gradually improving, but they still go through stages in games. To win more games, they must improve their consistency over 90 minutes. Chelsea has some good games coming up and might finish the season strong, therefore I’m betting for a 2-1 home victory.”
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
Mark Lawrenson
“Both have been fairly inconsistent, although Newcastle won last time out,” the former Liverpool defender told Paddy Power. “Anything can happen with Chelsea so I’m going to go with Newcastle, it’ll be interesting to see what version of Chelsea turns up this time.”
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Newcastle
Leave a Reply