Our best bets for this Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge include a win for the hosts with their star striker on the scoresheet.
Chelsea are licking their wounds after a 5-2 Champions League humbling by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but Liam Rosenior’s team are firmly in the race to claim a top-four finish in the Premier League. Successive home draws against Leeds United and Burnley have been disappointing, but the Blues will be hoping to build upon a 4-1 win at Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Newcastle were pegged back by a late Barcelona penalty on Tuesday and will be hoping they can gain their fourth away win of the league campaign
It should be an entertaining clash at Stamford Bridge and in preparation for Saturday’s contest and here are our Premier League betting selections for the game.
Selections
Blues look likely to have the edge
Chelsea look unlikely to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to PSG, but the Londoners are in the thick of the battle for a top-four spot in the Premier League and this looks like a good opportunity for them to boost their chances.
Draws in their last two home league games against Leeds and Burnley have been underwhelming, but a 4-1 win at a strong Villa is a big positive and Rosenior’s side have won five of their last eight in the league.
Their only loss in that period came at Arsenal, when they played the final 20 minutes with ten men and they can get ahead here against Newcastle, who look destined to finish in mid-table.
The Magpies had their own European disappointment when they conceded a late equaliser against Barca and, while they can usually be relied upon to find the net on their travels, they have been beaten twice at Manchester City recently and 4-1 at Liverpool, so may not be able to cut the mustard against top outfits on the road.
Leg 1: Chelsea to win @ 5/6
Pedro Chelsea’s biggest goal threat
Chelsea have scored at least twice in six of their last eight league matches and striker Joao Pedro should be relied upon to find the net when the Magpies come to town.
The Brazilian striker failed to notch in the French capital on Wednesday, but he heads intothis weekend having netted a hat-trick in his last league game against Villa.
Pedro has also netted in each of his last four league games at Stamford Bridge – against Crystal Palace, West Ham, Leeds and Burnley – so there looks a strong chance he can repeat the trick after 19 goal attempts in his last four league appearances.
Leg 2: Joao Pedro to score at any time @ 23/20
Expect plenty of corners at the Bridge
While Newcastle are a disappointing 12th in the Premier League, they are at the top of the corners chart with an average of 6.69 per game in their 29 league fixtures.
There have been an average of 11.62 flag-kicks in their matches, while Chelsea have also earned more than six per game.
There were 10 when the teams met in a 2-2 Tyneside clash in December, but there could be at least 12 when they lock horns in London this weekend.
Leg 3: Over 11.5 corners @ 5/4
