Pundit says Chelsea will beat Crystal Palace solely because Eagles are missing 2 key stars
Chelsea will hope to end the first half of the season with a win over Newcastle United later today (12 November) but Chris Sutton believes otherwise. The Blues will travel to St. James Park to take on Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
Newcastle have been in terrific form this season. The Tyneside club has only lost one game so far in the Premier League this season and are currently sitting third on the table.
The Blues, meanwhile have been far from their best in the past couple of games. They have lost back-to-back games in the league and have been winless in their last four league outings.
Such run of results has left the west London club in the seventh position on the table, six behind opponents Newcastle and 13 behind rivals and leaders Arsenal. Graham Potter will now face a high-flying Magpie side who have won their four last games.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton does not believe that Potter and co will be able to stop The Magpies from making it five in a row and gave his prediction, a 1-0 win in favour of the hosts in his BBC Sport Column (h/t Football. London).
“Chelsea were very disappointing against Arsenal last weekend. The Gunners looked like a side who had an identity – while the Blues didn’t appear to have a clear idea of what they would do when they came forward, or link up well at all. Newcastle will stay in the top four whatever happens in this game, and they must be delighted with their recent results that have put them there, as well as the way they have been playing. I think we will see more of the same here. I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring game, but I am backing the Magpies to make it five league wins in a row.”
It is not surprising to see such a prediction. The Blues have been in disappointing form for the past couple of games, but still have the chance to turn their season around. Head-to-head statistics show the west London club well ahead of their rivals, having won 29 of their 54 previous encounters.
While there is no doubt that the Magpies will be considered favourites, we believe the Blues will at least take a point from their opponents, if not a win. Potter will also be without five senior players and he will hope that he does not miss them much during the game.
Fans will hope for a similar, if not better result when their side won 1-0 the last time they met. A win coupled with favourable results elsewhere could see the Blues end their first half of the season in the Europa League place.
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