Despite their season long injury crisis, no team has been more impressive in the EFL Cup, thus far this season, than Newcastle United. While many are believing that the Magpies are ripe for an upset here, at the hands of Chelsea, we beg to differ.
Sure, the Geordies are running on fumes here, given their obvious lack of healthy bodies. However, they just thrashed the Blues 4-1 a couple weeks ago.
Newcastle United at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kickoff: Tues Dec. 19, Stamford Bridge, London, 8pm
Competition: EFL Cup Quarterfinals
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea Newcastle
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
How they Got Here: Chelsea- beat Blackburn 2-0, Brighton 1-0, Wimbledon 2-1 Newcastle- beat United 3-0, City 1-0
Not to mention how they haven’t conceded a goal yet in the two games that they’ve played in the tournament thus far. They’ve knocked out both Manchester clubs, and any time you beat the Evil Empire that is City, in any competition, it’s impressive. In knocklng United out, they took the rematch of last year’s title tilt in this competition.
Perhaps Eddie Howe has his men on a mission to finish the job this time around? If so, here is the lineup that we think best moves them towards that goal.
Newcastle United Starting 11 Prediction at Chelsea FC (EFL Cup Quarterfinals)
Martin Dubravka; Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Jamal Lascelles, Emil Krafth; Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley; Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.