Chelsea looking to put 5-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain behind them
Newcastle searching for fourth Premier League away win after draw with Barcelona
Recommended bet: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
Chelsea look unlikely to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League following a 5-2 first-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but they should be confident they can get their quest for a top-four finish into gear with a home win over Newcastle.
The visiting Magpies beat in-form Manchester United in their last league game and were unfortunate not to hold on against Barcelona on Tuesday, but their top-flight away form has been no great shakes and they are in danger of seeing their season peter out into a mid-table finish.
Team news
Jamie Gittens could be involved in the squad after recovering from a thigh injury, but both Levi Colwill and Estevao are unavailable for Chelsea.
The Magpies are due to be without Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes and Emil Krafth.
The latest Chelsea vs Newcastle odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Both teams have scored in each of Chelsea’s last seven Premier League matches.
Chelsea have won five of their last eight league games.
Seven of Chelsea’s last nine outings have featured at least three goals.
Newcastle have not kept a clean sheet in their last 14 matches.
The Magpies have scored at least twice in seven of their last 10 games.
Newcastle have won two of their last seven Premier League away matches.
Prediction
Defensive errors contributed to Chelsea’s 5-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek,, but their league form has been strong in the last six weeks and they should get back to winning ways at home to Newcastle.
The only loss they have suffered in their last eight league encounters came at leaders Arsenal, and they may have made a stronger push to get something from that game had Pedro Neto not been sent off with 20 minutes still on the clock.
Manager Liam Rosenior will be keen to erase the memory of what happened in the French capital in midweek and should take some solace from an impressive 4-1 win at Aston Villa in their most recent league outing.
They should be keen to put on a Stamford Bridge show after consecutive draws against Leeds and Burnley, but they have kept a clean sheet in just one of their last 13 league games, so that pattern could continue.
Newcastle put up a spirited display against Barcelona when they were pegged back by a late Laimine Yamal penalty and they have scored in eight of their last nine away games.
However, they have lost twice at Manchester City recently in the league and Carabao Cup, and also fell 4-1 at Liverpool on New Year’s Eve, so they may struggle again when facing a top team on the road.
Both teams have scored in their last 13 matches, but a goal could be the most the Magpies are able to muster.
Back Chelsea to win & both teams to score at 15/8 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Chelsea vs Newcastle odds are available on LiveScore Bet
