Chelsea face a tough trip to Tyneside this weekend to take on Newcastle who have certainly proved to be the surprise package in the Premiership so far this season.
Alan Pardew’s side have suffered just one defeat in their last 16 Premier League games to give them the best start to a season since 1996-97.
They were fortunate to get a share of the spoils at Old Trafford last week after they were awarded a controversial penalty, but they are proving tough nuts to crack and it won’t be easy for Andre Villas-Boas’ side to come away with all three points in this St James’ Park clash.
However, the bookies still make the Blues favourites with
bet365 and
Boylesports offering 2.1.
That is probably down to the stats which clearly favour Chelsea and suggest Newcastle will struggle to win.
The Magpies have won none of the last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D4, L4) and have managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 9 PL matches.
But they do have a red-hot striker in the shape of Demba Ba who has netted 16 goals so far this season and snuffing him out will be the key to a Chelsea victory in what promises to be a fiercely fought battle.
I really do think that Chelsea can win this at their best and their easy 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend will have given them a much needed confidence boost after some disappointing results in the league.
I don’t think this game will be a goal fest though, and it could well be decided by a single goal.
Chelsea to win 1-0 is my idea of the outcome, and that score line can be backed at 7.5 with
bet365.
So, in the hope that we have got the outcome and the score correct, we just need to decide who will be the hero and net the winner.
All the usual suspects – Droga, Sturridge and Torres – top the charts with the old enemy but I am going to take a chance on Anekla who looks overpriced at 9 with
Paddy Power.