Chelsea FC have been the most compelling and relevant team of the January transfer window thus far, making a lot more headlines off the pitch than on it. Given the uncertain transfer situations that surround three players, midfielder Cesc Fabregas, striker Alvaro Morata and forward Calum Hudson-Odoi, we have elected not to pick any of them in our predicted first team.
In terms of who the Blues will face tomorrow, Newcastle United, it’s certainly a very advantageous match-up for them. The Blues have lost just one of their 23 home matches against the Magpies in Premier League competition; and have taken the past six in west London across all competitions.
In the Premier League era, Chelsea have won 23 of the previous meetings, Newcastle 12, to match the 12 occasions in which the two teams have split the points.
The Bank Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Newcastle United (4-3-3)
Forwards: Pedro, Eden Hazard, Willian
Midfielders: Mateo Kovavic, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Newcastle United at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday, January 12, 5:30 PM local, Stamford Bridge
Injury Report for both teams: go to this link
Google Result Probability: Chelsea FC win 78%, Draw 15%, Newcastle win 7%
Manager Press Conference Video, Quotes: coming Friday
Odds via Betfair: Chelsea 1/4, Draw 11/2, Newcastle United 15/1
Prediction: Chelsea 1, Newcastle 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.