EPL: Will Newcastle beat Chelsea?

Newcastle United will hope to go into the World Cup break with another impressive result when they welcome a struggling Chelsea side at St. James Park.

Graham Potter’s men have lost in their last three matches across all competitions. Another defeat will undoubtedly set the alarm bells ringing at the West London outfit.

Form-wise, Newcastle and Chelsea are currently on opposite poles.

The Magpies have had the best start to a Premier League campaign in years and shaping up to be a bonafide top-four contender. 

Sensible Newcastle

Newcastle owners have the deepest pockets in the world’s most financially lucrative football competition. But instead of going on a mindless spending spree, they have taken a planned approach and prioritized profiles over star power. 

Chelsea, Man United, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest have all spent more in the 22/23 summer transfer window.

Newcastle’s £122.40m outlay is not insignificant by any means, but they seem like a better team than the clubs which outspent them in the summer. 

Eddie Howe’s side are now in third place, sitting a point above Tottenham Hotspur in the standings and four points ahead of Manchester United in fifth place. 

Newcastle made it five wins in a row in all competitions as they saw off Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

The Tyneside outfit have claimed all three points in each of their last four Premier League outings. They are yet to lose a game since losing to Liverpool at Anfield on September 1. Newcastle agonisingly conceded a last-minute goal in that game. 

On the contrary, Chelsea did not win any of their last four Premier League matches.

After two back-to-back draws, they got thrashed at the Amex Stadium and followed up with a home defeat to league leaders Arsenal. 

The 1-0 scoreline might indicate a closely-fought affair, but the Gunners thoroughly outplayed the hosts.

Mikel Arteta’s men only have their lack of clinical finishing to blame for not securing a more comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge. 

Graham Potter oversaw another defeat on midweek as Chelsea succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the EFL Cup against Manchester City. 

Chelsea are now seventh in the league table, and dropping points at St. James Park will plunge them into the bottom of the top half of the table. 

Team News

Newcastle will not get to call their marquee summer signing Alexander Isak for duty.

Isak is out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back in training before December.

Matt Ritchie, Ryan Fraser, Emil Krafth, and Paul Dummett are the other injury absentees for the hosts. 

Howe fielded a much-changed side in the EFL Cup clash, leaving out many first-XI regulars. Expect them all back against Chelsea.

Joelington missed out against Southampton as he was serving a one-match suspension. But the Brazillian will be available for selection against the Blues. 

Chelsea don’t expect Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kanté, Reece James, and Ben Chilwell to be back anytime soon.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has experienced a career revival under Potter, but he might have to sit out again with a foot injury. Jorginho is also uncertain to feature as he struggles with a fitness issue.

Who will win

Newcastle are clear favourites to win this.

We back the home side to heap more misery on Chelsea and pick up a 1-0 win.