Sutton has made his predictionplaceholder image
Sutton has made his prediction | Getty Images
Chelsea are preparing to face Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend.
Chelsea are back in action on Saturday when they take on a Newcastle United side desperate to turn around a very disappointing start to the season. The Magpies are currently in the bottom half and six points behind Chelsea in fourth after last weekend’s defeat to local rivals Sunderland.
That gap makes it key for them to beat Chelsea when they face off at St James’ Park. Newcastle did get back to winning ways during the week, beating Fulham in the Carabao Cup to make it three semi-final berths in that competition in four years, but they are in desperate need of a run of form in the league.
They are now, however, helped by a fresh injury issue that arose during that clash with Fulham. Tino Livramento has picked up an injury issue, and he will not be involved against former club Chelsea, nor will he play for the rest of the calendar year.
Eddie Howe confirmed in his pre-match press conference: “We don't think it's a serious injury. The complication we have is that Tino has injured that knee before in a very similar area. That always makes the potential recovery time a little bit longer. I don't think we'll see him possibly before 2026."
In better news for Newcastle, Lewis Hall, who missed out with an issue during the week, could be fit to face his former club. Howe added; “He could be [available for tomorrow]. He felt some fatigue in his hamstring after the Sunderland game so he had a scan which didn't reveal too much so we'll see."
Chelsea come into this one after back-to-back wins across all competitions, beating Everton in the Premier League last weekend before seeing off a hard-working Cardiff City side in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Sutton’s prediction
In the meantime, Chris Sutton has been making his predictions for the weekend’s action with BBC Sport, and he has backed Newcastle to pick up a statement win here. He reasoned: “Both teams won in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but it feels like Newcastle's squad is being stretched more at the moment.
“There is a worry for Chelsea too, though, in terms of what is happening with Enzo Maresca. He is obviously unhappy about something, and if there is some sort of infighting going on, or if he feels he is not being backed properly, then that does not bode well regardless of what happens on the pitch.
“I certainly don't think Maresca's issues are with his team's performances. His side are very principled in the way they play and they will cause Newcastle problems. I am still going to go with the Magpies to win it, though.
“I usually back them at home anyway, but this is prediction is mainly based on Chelsea's recent record at St James' Park, which is poor - they have not got anything there since 2021. Prediction: 2-1.”
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