by Ian S. Palmer
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Chelsea will be at home for the second weekend in a row as they host struggling Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, February 13. Chelsea scored a last-minute equalizer at home last weekend to draw Manchester United 1-1. Newcastle took three big points last weekend with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Newcastle is trying to avoid relegation from the English Premier League this season while Chelsea has a slim chance of reaching the top four and a spot in next season’s European Champions League. They may reach the top six or seven though and earn a spot in the Europa League instead.
Chelsea vs Newcastle United – Pinnacle SOCCER BETTING LINE:
- Pinnacle currently lists Chelsea as the favorites at -219 with Newcastle +704 and a draw at +379
Chelsea vs Newcastle United – Head to Head:
- Newcastle has given Chelsea problems in recent years with four victories in their past eight encounters. They last won at Stamford Bridge 2-0 in May of 2012, but they haven’t scored a goal there in their past three trips. Newcastle had a 2-0 lead over Chelsea at home earlier this campaign, but the Blues scored two goals in the last 11 minutes to pull out a 2-2 draw. Overall, the two sides have met times in the past with Chelsea winning 67, losing 52 and drawing 39.
Chelsea is unbeaten in league action since Dutchman Guus Hiddink took over from the sacked Jose Mourinho, but his side has dropped 12 points during his tenure by drawing six of their 10 contests. Chelsea sits in 13th spot in the 20-team league while Newcastle has climbed out of the relegation zone and into 17th spot. In fact, they’re just six points back of Chelsea. Hiddink is in his second stint with Chelsea now and he’s been beaten just once in all competitions. Chelsea’s last loss this season came back on December 14 when Leicester City beat them in Mourinho’s last game in charge.
Chelsea has 30 points from seven wins, nine draws and nine losses with 33 goals scored and 35 allowed. They’ve won only two of their past eight league outings and haven’t won at home under Hiddink so far this campaign. However, on the road, Chelsea hasn’t allowed a goal under the new manager. The Blues have four wins at Stamford Bridge this season along with five draws and four defeats with 21 goals for and 20 against. Chelsea has a win, loss and four draws in their past six home fixtures with a team-record four draws in a row. Striker Diego Costa has been hot lately with six goals in his past seven league appearances.
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Newcastle is embroiled in a tough relegation battle and are just one point above Norwich City and the drop zone. The squad was strengthened in the January transfer window, most notably by the arrival of England internationals Andre Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey. The team has 24 points on six victories, six draws and 13 defeats with 26 goals for and 44 against. Their road record consists of just two wins, a draw and nine losses with a league-low six goals for and 26 conceded. They’ve lost five out of their past half dozen away matches. They’ve lost five in a row on the road in all competitions with just one goal scored.
Chelsea will be without Kurt Zouma for the rest of the season after he tore an ACL against Man United last weekend. Strikers Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato are also sidelined, but forward Loic Remy may be back. Newcastle has the league’s biggest injury list, but Jack Colback and Siem de Jong may return. Their biggest loss is number-one goaltender Tim Krul.
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