Chelsea vs Newcastle United. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Chelsea FC will host Newcastle United FC in the English Premier League 28th round match at the Stamford Bridge Stadium. The fixture will take place on Tuesday, March 12, beginning at 01:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Chelsea News & Current Form: 

On March 10, the London-based club celebrated its foundation day. The day before the Aristocrats’ birthday was remembered as one of the most negative events in the club’s history. Sanctions were imposed on then-owner Roman Abramovich, because of which he was forced to sell Chelsea. A lot has changed since then, but not in a positive way for the team.

The new management spent a huge amount of money on transfers and changed several coaches. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino does not bring the expected results: the Blues are on the 11th line in the English championship standings, four points behind ninth-placed Newcastle. The Argentinian has admitted that he does not feel the support of the fans, amid anger from fans and calls for Pochettino to be replaced by recently departed AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho.

However, according to media reports, the Aristocrats’ management has already decided on the main candidates to replace the Argentine: Ruben Amorim or Roberto De Zerbi may take the position.

The fans can be understood, as the club’s results have been poor. Last weekend the Londoners snatched a 2:2 draw from Brentford FC: the Bees led 2:1 thanks to the efforts of Mads Roerslev and a stunning acrobatic strike by Yoane Wissa, but Axel Disasi restored parity at the very end of the game. This result caused a flurry of discontent among the team’s fans, who were upset not only by the result, but also by the quality of game the team showed. 

Top scorer of Chelsea FC – Cole Palmer with 10 goals scored

The Bees looked much more collected: the opponents scored a very beautiful goal and hit the bar several times. Before that, the Blues celebrated an away victory over Crystal Palace FC after two consecutive defeats (1:3), and then signed a draw with Manchester City (1:1). At the same stage of the season, the Aristocrats lost in extra time in the English Football League Cup final to Liverpool FC (1:2) and advanced to the Emirates FA Cup quarter finals by beating Leeds United FC (3:2).

The Londoners lack sharpness up front. Previously, it was all down to the fact that they could not realize their own chances, but now there are problems with creating them. In addition, there are still huge problems with the defense, which the Argentine specialist still can not fine-tune. This is despite the efforts of Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic: the goalkeepers have made 91 saves in 26 meetings in the EPL.

Since the start of the season, the Blues have had serious personal problems due to injuries: captain Reece James, midfielder Christopher Nkunku, French defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, as well as midfielders Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka are unavailable.

Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill also joined the injury list with knee and toe contusions respectively. Cole Palmer (10 goals and 7 assists) is having a great season and has established himself as the leader of the Londoners’ attack – Nicolas Jackson (8 goals and 3 assists) should once again keep the Englishman company. 

Last year Chelsea met with Newcastle four times and never beat the Magpies. And three matches (one of them a friendly) ended with the same score (1:1), the fourth game within the first round of the EPL-2023/24 was won by the Black and Whites (4:1).

Newcastle United News & Current Form: 

Last year Newcastle impressed everyone with their performances, which cannot really be said about the current season. The Black and Whites are currently in 9th place in the overall Premier League standings, but are still hoping to qualify for the European Cup. The Striped Ones have gained momentum in recent weeks and have suffered just one defeat in the last six rounds, winning three times. 

After losing 4:1 to Arsenal FC at the Emirates, Eddie Howe’s men easily defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers FC with a score of 3:0 at home last weekend. Even before the break, the Magpies took the lead through efforts from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, and in the second half Tino Livramento finally killed the intrigue in the match. 

Main goalkeeper of Newcastle United FC Nick Pope has been missing since 14th round of EPl due to a sustained injury

It is important to note that of the 40 points scored, Newcastle only got only 11 away, and the previous victory of the white and black outside the home walls in the EPL took place back in September. In the FA Cup, the inhabitants of St. James’ Park with great difficulty passed Blackburn Rovers FC (1:1, victory on penalties) and in the quarterfinals will meet with Manchester City.

In the UEFA Champions League, Howe’s team fell to a deadly group with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. The Black and Whites won just once, finished in last place and did not even qualify for the UEFA Europa League. 

The team from Newcastle is one of the best clubs in the EPL and occupy the fifth position in terms of goals scored – 57. But they concede too often (45) – this is the second worst result in the top half of the Premier League table. The club very painfully endures the absence of Nick Pope, who suffered a serious injury in the match of the 14th round of the EPL with Manchester United FC. Martin Dubravka is trying, but to call him an equal replacement for the main goalkeeper would not be a good idea.

It should also be noted that Newcastle are without supporting midfielder Joelinton, striker Callum Wilson (7 goals) and Matt Targett. Kieran Trippier is out of action before the international break due to a calf problem, while Lewis Hall will not be able to face his hometown club (on loan). 

The lengthy suspension of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali should not be forgotten either. Gordon (9 goals and 5 assists) and Isak (11 goals), who distinguished themselves in the last round, should logically be in the starting lineup, and Bruno Guimarães and Sean Longstaff will help them in midfield. 

Chelsea form guide: W-W-D-L-W-D

Newcastle United form guide: D-W-D-L-W-W

Chelsea vs Newcastle United Head-To-Head Record:

• May 28, 2023: Chelsea 1 – 1 Newcastle United (Premier League);
• November 25, 2023: Newcastle United 4 – 1 Chelsea (Premier League);
• December 19, 2023: Chelsea 1 – 1 Newcastle United (League Cup).

Chelsea vs Newcastle United Predicted XI:

Chelsea’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.

Newcastle United’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Statistical preview of the match Chelsea vs Newcastle United:

• Chelsea’s First XI average age is 25.3 years, Newcastle’s First XI average age is 27.3 years.
• The total value of Chelsea’s squad is 947 mln euros, while the total of Newcastle comes up to 638 mln euros.
• John Brooks has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served 22 games this season, showing an average of 4 Yellow Cards and also whistles 22 fouls per game. 
• In seven of Chelsea’s last eight games, there has been an exchange of goals. 
• Eight of Newcastle’s previous nine games in the Premier League have featured more than three goals. 
• The xG rating gives an average of 1.85 expected goals per game for Chelsea and 1.77 for Newcastle United.
• The Blues have possession of the ball on average 56.68% of match time, while the Magpies have 53.15%.
• The hosts are offside on average 2.5 times per game, while the visitors are offside 1.6 times.
• Chelsea average 12.7 shots on target per game, while Newcastle average 13.
• Chelsea average 5.05 shots on target per game, while Newcastle score 4.7.
• Chelsea have not lost to Newcastle at home in the Premier League for ten matches. 
• In the Premier League, Chelsea score an average of 1.69 goals per game, while Newcastle score 2.11. 
• Chelsea are averaging 4.7 corners per game, while Newcastle are averaging 4.65. 
• Chelsea receive on average 3 yellow cards per game, while Newcastle receive 2.

What has been said before the match:

Gaffer of the Aristocrats Mauricio Pochettino about the injuries of the squad and playing against Newcastle United:

“So far, no players are back. It’s the same situation as last week. You all know the list of injured players and also it now has Levi Colwill and Ben Chilwell. Gallagher also hasn’t been training because he has had a virus.”

“The problem with this situation is that after an illness the energy is down and you need time to recover. We will see if he can be available and ask what the situation is. Can he play? Play only a few minutes? We will need to assess him in the next few days.”

“The most important thing is to work on us. I am concentrating on our performance and the way we are going to deal now, without two or three starters from the last game.”

“So we’ll need different solutions to deal with these injuries. We have been focused in the last three days on providing the team the best balance with all the possibility to be consistent and perform in the way we need to perform.”

“Of course, we know Newcastle and can assess Newcastle, but the most important thing is to find the balance in the team, be consistent and perform in the way we need to perform.”

Eddie Howe, long time coach of the Magpies, about getting back to European Cups:

“It was a difficult night against Chelsea in December in the Cup final. We did a lot right. It was at a time we were struggling with a lot of injuries. I think we learnt from that – through every difficult experience, there is a positive if you can learn from it.”

“Chelsea have definitely improved throughout the season. They have got better and better – they have top quality players and an outstanding manager. We know it will be a very difficult game against a team that is dangerous but, as always, the focus is on us.”

“We know we are running out of games. There’s not much left. We know the opportunities we have got, and we are determined to maximize every game. The players know the importance of the fixtures we have coming up.”

“We have got a bit of form behind us. We are looking to recapture our very best performance levels. We have really high expectations of ourselves. I am determined to try and achieve the maximum that we can, and get back into Europe if we can.”

Chelsea vs Newcastle United Prediction:

Both teams have big ambitions, a lot of investment in the squad, big names, but the prospects of getting into the European competitions next season remain vague: both clubs are languishing in the equator of the English Premier League standings. The Magpies lacked the physicality and experience to handle numerous competitions at a time, but it was the injury situation that undermined their plans the most. At the moment 7 players are unavailable at once, but if we talk about the main squad, everything looks more promising, now Eddie Howe has enough players at his disposal to produce the necessary results. Things are a little bit easier in this aspect than in the Blues’ camp, where the infirmary is overcrowded with 10 players out of action, and Mauricio Pochettino has been banking on many of these names this season, for instance the striker Christopher Nkunku, who was supposed to be the team’s leader. Forced rotation, which is constantly resorted to by the Argentine manager, has a huge impact on the chemistry and performance. First of all, the issues are visible in the defensive line: Chelsea concedes a lot, 1.65 goals per match on average, the level of mid-table sides in the EPL.

The match will be played at Stamford Bridge, however, in general Chelsea of the season 23/24 is an away team. They play much more confidently on the road and pick up more points: 18 in 14 EPL games. Since the end of January, the Blues got only one win at home, and that was over Leeds United in the FA Cup. On the other hand, Newcastle played better at home, with the Black and Whites picking up only 11 points in 13 away games. The set-up of this meeting is uncomfortable for each of the teams, but Chelsea still have a slight advantage, which makes them favorites before the start of this meeting. Substantiation can also be found in the history of head-to-head meetings: in the last 7 games at Chelsea’s home arena, the Magpies have failed to win even once. We expect that Cole Palmer and teammates will at least not lose in a match that will not be very rich in goals.

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Chelsea will not lose and the match total will be less than 3.5 – Yes.