Chelsea v Newcastle United Tips: Can the Blues rediscover Sarri-ball?
Published:
Chelsea host Newcastle United in the late kick-off as the Blues try to re-discover their swashbuckling form from the start of the season.
Maurizio Sarri’s men look to be in a battle with Arsenal and Manchester United for fourth place.
A win over the Toon would heap the pressure on their nearest rivals.
Newcastle are two points clear of the relegation zone and are going in search of their first win in four league games.
Match Odds
Chelsea bagged a 2-1 away win at St. James’ Park which formed part of their impressive ten game unbeaten run at the beginning of the league season.
The Blues are 1/4 to score a home win and close the gap on third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
The Magpies have tasted victory over the West Londoners in recent times, however.
An Ayoze Perez double helped seal a 3-0 win at the end of last season. They’re 14/1 to win, with the draw at 19/4.
Both sides need to re-find their goalscoring touch with the game to feature Under 2.5 goals at 6/5.
Talking Tactics
Alvaro Morata is a doubt after missing the Carabao Cup first-leg defeat against Spurs.
With Sarri looking for a way to regain his side’s potency in front of goal, he may retain Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wing.
Eden Hazard has been in a false-nine position in recent games, but Olivier Giroud could be the best foil for the Belgian ace.
Rafael Benitez will be without Ki Sung-Yueng and Yoshinori Muto who are away at the Asian Cup.
But Jonjo Shelvey and defender Federico Fernandez could return to form a strong spine of the team alongside Salomon Rondon.
Matt Ritchie should keep his spot, with former Chelsea man Christian Atsu on the opposite side.
Goalscorer Odds
After starting the season in free-flowing form, Chelsea have scored just six goals in their last seven fixtures.
Eden Hazard is 4/5 to bag his 11th league goal of the season. Giroud has been rotated a lot so far but is 23/20 to score anytime.
N’Golo Kante has already matched his career high goalscoring number of three. The diminutive midfielder is 4/1 to notch anytime.
Rondon is the most likely to strike for the Toon at 3/1.
Perez to continue his good form against Chelsea and bag two or more is 66/1.
Match Info
Where: Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
When: 5:30pm
How to watch: BT Sport 1 / BT Sport 4K UHD
Click here for more Chelsea v Newcastle odds
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
