Chelsea vs Newcastle predictions: Entertaining clash expected for Euro hopefuls
- Chelsea have not lost in 90 minutes in any of their last six games
- Newcastle have scored in their last seven away matches
- Recommended bet: Draw
Chelsea and Newcastle are both several places below where they might have expected to be in the Premier League table but neither club will have yet given up hope on reaching the top six if they can produce a strong finish to the season.
Chelsea's only defeat in their last six games was in extra-time of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool while Newcastle have lost only to Arsenal in their last eight outings and the pair should serve up a lively encounter in London.
Team news
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell (knee) and centre-back Levi Colwill (toe) have both been ruled out with injuries, while Conor Gallagher is battling an illness.
Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella could come back into contention after their own injuries but Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia remain sidelined.
Newcastle's Kieran Trippier is struggling with a calf injury, so Tino Livramento could start, with loanee Lewis Hall unable to play against his parent club.
Callum Wilson (chest), Nick Pope (shoulder) and Joelinton (thigh) are still unavailable and Sandro Tonali is suspended.
The stats
Chelsea have won only five of their 12 home Premier League games this season.
Chelsea have scored first in six of their last eight league matches.
Seven of Chelsea's last nine league games have produced three or more goals.
Newcastle have drawn three of their last six matches.
Seven of Newcastle's last 10 away games in the Premier League have featured four or more goals.
Both teams have scored in each of the last three meetings between Chelsea and Newcastle.
Prediction
Newcastle's only losses in their last 11 matches have come to the Premier League's top three teams of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal and it has to be questioned whether it is a value bet at odds-on prices to back Chelsea to join that list.
The Blues have failed to win seven of their 12 home league games this season and while they have been competitive against stronger teams at Stamford Bridge, they have found it hard to register victories.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City have all drawn with Chelsea in London and that was also the result after 90 minutes when Newcastle visited in the League Cup in November, when the Magpies led for most of the match before Mykhailo Mudryk scored a late equaliser and Chelsea won on penalties.
Chelsea have drawn their last two league contests against Manchester City and Brentford while half of the Magpies' last six games in all competitions have reached 90 minutes with the scores level. Another draw looks better value than backing either side to come out on top.
With Chelsea picking up more defensive injuries to Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill, the potential is there for this to be a high-scoring game and a 2-2 correct score at 10/1 with LiveScore Bet also has some appeal.
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