Newcastle vs Chelsea: Premier League Preview & Predicted Line-ups

Underperforming Newcastle United will be desperate to get off the mark in the Premier League when they take on pacesetters Chelsea at St James’ Park.

The recent Saudi-led consortium’s takeover of the Magpies has yet to produce the desired impact on United’s immediate results as they continue to struggle.

Even Steve Bruce’s resignation has failed to spark life in the Newcastle dressing room as they head into this matchday as one of only two sides yet to win a single Premier League fixture this term, and if you are interested in using this promo code to bet on this game, backing the visitors is the smart move.

Caretaker boss Graeme Jones could not have asked for a more formidable opposition, with Chelsea going into proceedings on the back of a 7-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

Moreover, after coming out on top of a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out against Southampton in their midweek Carabao Cup tie, the Blues will be full of confidence here.

Newcastle United Preview

Although Callum Wilson’s second-half equaliser rescued a point for Newcastle at Crystal Palace last weekend, the Magpies are facing the prospect of going winless in their opening ten Premier League matches for the third time in their history.

The first time it happened was way back in 1898/99, while the second came as recent as 2018/19. The Tyneside outfit can draw confidence from avoiding relegation on both occasions.

Since the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign, Jones’ men have conceded more goals (43) and preserved fewer clean sheets (two) at home than any other omnipresent Premier League side in that sequence.

Despite their underwhelming home form this term (D2, L2), St James’ Park has been a venue of entertainment, as three of their four league fixtures here have featured 3+ goals and both teams scoring.

Additionally, Newcastle have suffered five defeats across their last six top-flight meetings with Chelsea, barring a 1-0 win in January 2020, losing both last season’s encounters by the identical 2-0 scoreline.

Player to watch: Callum Wilson

Including his abovementioned strike against Palace, Wilson has found the net six times across his last six Premier League appearances, marking a significant turnaround on his paltry from beforehand.

Having found the net in each of his last three top-flight outings, Wilson will be looking to score in four Premier League matches in a row for the second time in his career, last doing so in September 2019 with Bournemouth.

Chelsea Preview

Unlike their hosts, Chelsea have been nothing short of outstanding this season, as they take the field sitting atop the Premier League table, one point clear of second-placed Liverpool.

Thomas Tuchel’s men have recovered from a heartbreaking 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City in late September, racking up a three-game winning league streak since then.

A potential victory here would see the Blues register four consecutive Premier League triumphs under the German manager for only the second time.

Interestingly, the reigning Champions League holders have already had 14 different goalscorers in England’s top-flight this season, underlining the versatility of Tuchel’s players.

Defensively robust, Chelsea have conceded a league-low one goal on the road this Premier League campaign and have yet to let a single away goal in beyond half-time.

Curiously, since playing out a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park in September 2015, the Londoners have alternated between a victory and defeat across their subsequent four visits to this venue, winning the last one 2-0.

Player to watch: Mason Mount

With Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner ruled out with injuries, Tuchel will turn to his most trusted ally, Mason Mount, to provide something special up top.

The 22-year-old playmaker has had his hand in more Premier League goals under Tuchel than any other Chelsea player, netting seven and assisting four thus far.

Mount’s last weekend’s hat-trick against basement boys Norwich should issue a warning to Newcastle’s sloppy backline to pay special attention to his drifts in between the lines.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea Predicted Line-ups

Newcastle United (5-3-2): Karl Darlow; Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie; Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron; Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy; Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Reece James, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell; Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kai Havertz.