Chelsea vs Newcastle United 13/01/19

13 January 2019

After a narrow 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the EFL Cup, Chelsea return to the Premier League action as they take on Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge looking to stretch a six-game winning home run against the struggling visitors.

Winless in their last two PL home clashes (D1, L1), the Blues have lost the pace with Manchester City and Liverpool as they currently trail the leaders by ten points. Goals have been in short supply in three of Chelsea’s last four home encounters, with the Pensioners failing to hit the back of the net two times while keeping a clean sheet on two occasions in the process. Although scored over 1.5 goals per match seven times in 11 home meetings this campaign, just 36% of Chelsea’s home games have produced over 2.5 goals, which is the third-lowest record in the Premier League. What’s more, six of Chelsea’s previous seven competitive meetings have produced under 2.5 goals, with just one of them ended with both teams scoring.

Meanwhile, the visitors are winless in their last five competitive outings (D3, L2), with Newcastle scoring one goal or less in each. Just like Chelsea, goals have been at a premium for the Magpies. Rafael Benitez’s players have managed to score over 1.5 goals per match just once in the past ten games in all competitions, failing to hit the back of the net four times in the process. Moreover, five of their last six competitive encounters have produced under 2.5 goals, with just two of them ended with both teams hitting the back of the net. Also, Newcastle’s immense problems in the final third have seen them fail to score four times on ten PL road trips this campaign, with just two teams scoring fewer goals than the Magpies (8) so far.

Provisional line-up – Chelsea:

Gk: Arrizabalaga Defense: Marcos Alonso – Rudiger – David Luiz – Azpilicueta Midfield: Jorginho – Kante – Barkley Attack: Willian – Pedro – Eden Hazard

Provisional line-up – Newcastle United:

Gk: Dubravka Defense: Yedlin – Schar – Lascelles – Paul Dummett Midfield: Hayden – Matt Ritchie – Jacob Murphy – Atsu Attack: Ayoze Perez – Rondon