Premier League Match Preview – Monday night football returns when Newcastle United travel to Chelsea.
The race for European football intensifies as two fading contenders battle it out for 90 minutes, with the Premier League’s top seven in sight for both clubs.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture.
Premier League Match Preview – Chelsea vs Newcastle United
Form
Chelsea: WDLWD
Chelsea’s inconsistent form across the season has them currently occupying a bottom half place in the league table. Their recent form follows the same trend that has appeared all season. When they look in good shape, and results start going their way, a loss has always been waiting around the corner.
Their 10 wins and six draws across the season has just been enough to keep them in the race for Europe. The fans, however, are far from content with performances under manager Maurico Pochettino and audible calls for his exit were heard during last weekend’s draw at Brentford.
West Ham are six points above the Blues in seventh, having played an extra game. A win on Monday and a little bit of consistency over the next few weeks could have Chelsea right in the mix to salvage European football.
Early sights set on Monday night. ???? pic.twitter.com/yLPtLKzAtd
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2024
Axel Disasi scored his second goal of the season last weekend, rescuing a point for the Blues during their trip to west London neighbours Brentford.
The late equaliser was once again set up by youngster Cole Palmer, who has carried the club on his shoulder on occasion in his first season at the club.
Pochettino will remain without many of his key players for the considerable future. None of Reece James, Romeo Lavia or Christopher Nkunku are expected back, but Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling could feature.
Newcastle: WDLWW
Newcastle have come out the other side of a rotten run of form at the end of 2023.
Having endured a run of eight losses in 10 games, the Magpies have now lost just one of their last eight and are back in the hunt for European football next season. They’re eighth in the table, just two points off seventh and four points off the top six.
Eddie Howe has been praised on many occasions for what he has achieved at Newcastle, but will soon find himself under pressure if he doesn’t lead his side into Europe, after last season’s top-four finish.
Last weekend the Magpies demolished Wolves at St James’ Park, with goals for Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento. Gordon has had a fantastic year in black and white and must be in the mind of England manager Gareth Southgate for the Euros this summer.
Full back Kieran Trippier picked up a knock in last week’s match against Wolves. He could become part of the club’s growing absentee list that already includes Nick Pope, Sandro Tonali, Callum Wilson, Matt Targett and Joelinton.
Previous Meetings
These clubs are two of the longest-serving sides in the top division of English football and have met 175 times, with Chelsea leading the way in victories. On Monday they will look for their 80th all-time victory against Newcastle.
Recent Premier League fixtures have gone the way of the Magpies, who have won two of the last three meetings, with the other ending as a draw. However, Chelsea did get one over on Newcastle as they knocked them out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in December.
When the two sides met in the league in November the score was a staggering 4-1. Isak opened the scoring for Newcastle, before Raheem Sterling levelled the score heading into the break. In the second half Chelsea fell off a cliff, as Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Gordon slotted home for a comfortable home win.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Botman, Schar, Burn; Guimaraes, Anderson, Willock; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
Who is the referee?
John Brooks.
Is this game on TV?
UK – Sky Sports Main Event.
What time is Kick-off?
20:00 GMT, Monday 11th March.
Odds
Chelsea – 17/20
Draw – 3/1
Newcastle – 13/5
Read More – Chelsea’s possible Pochettino replacements
Read Also – Chelsea target Nico Williams has an appealing release clause
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