Date: Sunday 13th
March 2022
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
After spending the last couple of days not knowing quite what the
government will do next in the measures taken directly against Chelsea FC,
whilst the press has ramped up the hate and hostility, here’s a game that will
generate a headline or two, because this afternoon sees us play host to Saudi Arabian state-owned Newcastle.
Chelsea have won their last four in the Premier League and come into the
game off the back of a 3-1 win against Norwich. We had a bit of a wobble after
their penalty but overall, another convincing win and professional performance given
everything going on around them and that win leaves us sitting third in the
table at the start of the day, 6 points clear of fourth place United and with 2
games in hand.
There’s no doubt Eddie Howe and a few million have done wonders at Newcastle,
who come to us in a good run of form and had another win midweek against
Southampton. After a woeful first half of the season that had them looking most
likely for the drop, they haven’t lost a game since before Christmas and have
dragged themselves out of the relegation places. Newcastle haven’t beaten us at
Stamford Bridge in the league since 2012, but whilst we have the second-best away
record in the league, we’re prone to dropping points at home. That’s not ideal
with Newcastle taking 10 points from their last four away and looking a very
different side to the one we beat 3-0 in October 2021.
I’ve really no idea which way this game is likely to go. What I do know,
is that there will be free-flowing resentment and much bile spouted – and that’s
just from the media!
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, Thomas Tuchel, says “It will be difficult one because Newcastle is very, very
strong. It’s a different Newcastle and they produce a lot of results, so I’m
expecting a very tough game. I’m sorry but I don’t care too much about what the
neutral spectators think about who should win it. In the end, everybody wants
to be excited to watch games and be entertained and this is what we are up for.
At the moment, we try to have the focus right and the attitude right. The guys
do this in a very impressive way and we need this on Sunday.”
Newcastle manager,
Eddie Howe, meanwhile, says “Football changes very quickly, as we’ve seen
for the positive. We need to be very grounded, very humble, very level. We’re
about to enter, and I do say this a lot, a difficult spell of games. We now go
to Chelsea, then Everton, then Tottenham, away from home – incredibly difficult
games. What we have done is put
a gap between us and the bottom teams, but that’s all it is. We’ve still got to
win a lot more points.
Your preparation is
key. We’ve tried to be very consistent with how we prepare. I think that’s helped
us so we will be the same regardless of the opposition. There are certain
things we need to do well against any opponent. I don’t think that really
changes. We will have our way of preparing. We will do that to the best of our
ability and hopefully we produce a good performance. These games aren’t a free
hit. I’ve learnt historically that you need to pick up points against every
type of team so we will endeavour to do our best to do that.”
SQUAD NEWS
For
Chelsea, Ben Chilwell (knee), remains our long-term absentee,
and Reece James (muscular) is not expected to return today. Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos
Alonso and Christian Pulisic are also likely to be absent again through illness.
For Newcastle,
Jamal Lewis, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and Isaac Hayden are out but
Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabian Schar are expected to be available.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Sarr, Kovacic, Kante, Saul; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount
NEWCASTLE
(Possible line-up): Dubravka; Manquillo, Schar, Burn, Targett; Willock,
Shelvey, Joelinton; Saint-Maximin, Wood, Murphy
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle
(15th February 2021)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: LDWWWW
NEWCASTLE: WWLWWW
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea have won eight of the past 10 league
meetings
- Chelsea have won the last three meetings in a row.
- Newcastle’s only win in their last 27 league games
at Stamford Bridge was 2012.
- Chelsea are unbeaten in nine home league matches.
- Newcastle have lost 23 of their last 24 Premier
League away games against sides starting the day in the top three of the table
- Chelsea have kept just two clean sheets in their
last nine games at home.
- Chelsea are on a run of four Premier League wins in
a row.
- Newcastle are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the
Premier League.
- Only Liverpool have won more top-flight points in
2022 than the 20 by Newcastle.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle
