Newcastle – Chelsea Prediction & Picks (13.05.2018)

Newcastle United and Chelsea meet at St. James’ Park, in a match for the 38th round of the Premier League. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 02-12-2017, Chelsea won at home against (3-1). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 matches. However, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium was on 09-26-2015, in a match for the Premier League that ended in a draw for (2-2). The goals of the match were scored by Ayoze Pérez (42 ‘) and G. Wijnaldum (60’), for Newcastle United, and Ramires (79 ‘) and Willian (86′), for Chelsea. In this game the home factor may be decisive, as Newcastle United presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Newcastle :

After 11 wins, 8 draws and 18 losses, the home team is currently in the 10 th position of the league, with 41 points won. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Watford, by (2-1). In the last match, they lost in an away match against Tottenham Hotspur, by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 3 draws and 9 losses in away matches; against 6 victories, 3 draws and 6 defeats in their stadium. For the league, Newcastle United won 15 points out of 30 possible points, after 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses in the last 10 home matches. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (8 out of 18 matches). The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition, so it has not been very strong defensively. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 12 of the last 18 matches for this competition have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 37 matches in this competition, he only managed 2 comebacks in the 20 games in which he suffered the first goal. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 18 home matches for this competition: they have scored 7 of their 18 goals between minutes (61’-75 ‘).

Newcastle enter this unmotivated day, after a foreign snub, 1-0, in the visit to the Tottenham field. The home team usually acts in a traditional 4-3-3, favoring a faster style of play, progressing in the field, mainly, through the sides. In this tactical drawing, the three players responsible for throwing the panic in the opposing area are Kenedy, Ritchie and Gayle. Being a set with some weaknesses, it is guessed that the landlords adopt a more defensive strategy. The technician Rafael Benítez will not be able to count on Christian Atsu and Jesús Gámez, for being injured.

Chelsea:

The away team is currently in the 5 th position of the league, with 70 points won, after 21 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Liverpool, by (1-0). In the last match, they tied in a home match against Huddersfield Town, by (1-1). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 19 goals scored and 20 conceded; against 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 25 goals scored and 11 conceded. For the championship, Chelsea have won 17 points out of 30 possible points, after 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 10 home matches. The team has conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 12 of the last 18 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 37 matches in this competition, they only got 2 comebacks in the 12 matches in which they suffered the first goal.

Chelsea enters this day after a home draw, a ball, at the reception to Huddersfield. The visiting team usually acts in a tactical system in 5-2-2-1, privileging the fast transitions, mainly through the wings, being that the three most advanced players are Willian, Pedro and Morata. The Chelsea coach can not count on David Luiz, for being injured.