Alan Shearer is feeling optimistic ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.
The relentless run of fixtures does not stop for Eddie Howe, whose side are still feeling the pain of losing to Sunderland last weekend.
Newcastle United started to make amends by beating Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night, and now they are set for another home game at St James’ Park.
The Magpies face Chelsea in the Premier League, in a game that will be hugely significant in the race for Europe. Eddie Howe cannot afford to lose more ground, and Alan Shearer does not expect that to happen.
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A graphic showing Newcastle United's predicted XI vs Chelsea.
Caption: GRV Media
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Alan Shearer backs Newcastle United to beat Chelsea
The Newcastle United legend is expecting a Toon win on Saturday.
Shearer has told the Metro that he thinks Newcastle will beat Chelsea, admitting that he may be going with his heart over his head.
“Newcastle, as we know, we don’t need to go into what happened last weekend again,” he said.
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“They’re at home, they have to bounce back. And I know they’ve had the Carabao Cup and the manager did change it around and rightly so.
“We’ll have to wait and see what he goes with in that early game. But two clubs who desperately need a result for obvious reasons. Maresca on the back of what he said and putting huge pressure on himself in saying that…
Enzo Maresca and Eddie Howe embrace before Newcastle United vs Chelsea.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“They did win with a completely new 11 in the League Cup, but then it’s back to league game again. So they have to get a win for obvious reasons or a performance. And Newcastle, as we know, they’re at home. They have to bounce back after that shocker last weekend.
“I think Newcastle will go again. They will try to get that energy back that makes it really difficult for teams at St. James’ Park. I know they conceded late against Liverpool, conceded late against Arsenal, and Spurs.
“However, they need to get back to winning ways against clubs that are going to finish in and around them, I guess. And let’s hope that starts tomorrow. So maybe my heart is ruling my head here. I’m going to go home win.”
Draw expected between Newcastle United and Chelsea by Paul Merson
While Shearer has backed his boyhood club Newcastle United to be victorious against Chelsea, Paul Merson is not so sure.
Merson, who grew up supporting Chelsea, is expecting a draw on Tyneside. He has been unimpressed with Eddie Howe’s side at home, telling Sportskeeda that he was not convinced by their Carabao Cup performance on Wednesday night.
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“This is a massive football match,” he said.
“I was at Cardiff the other day watching Chelsea getting an important win in the cup. Now they take the trip to Newcastle in what is a fixture that can have great impact on who finishes inside the top four in the Premier League.
“If Chelsea win this game, they will be nine points ahead of Newcastle. I don’t think Newcastle will be able to catch up with Chelsea if that kind of lead opens up between them.
“Both these teams will not catch Arsenal or Manchester City. So they are essentially fighting for the remaining European spots. And there is a lot of competition for teams to finish behind Arsenal and City.
“Newcastle can’t get going at home for some reason. Now they play back-to-back games against Chelsea and Manchester United. If Newcastle win these two games, they have a strong chance of finishing in the top four.
“Cole Palmer returning to the Chelsea line-up is a massive boost to Enzo Maresca’s team. We saw his impact against Everton. It wasn’t the best of performances from Chelsea, but he still grabbed a really good goal.
“We must not forget that Chelsea were playing competitive football till July last season. They will be forced to manage the minutes of Palmer and others with so many games coming up in the next few weeks. It will be interesting to see how many matches Palmer starts in the festive period.
“I didn’t think Newcastle were great in their win over Fulham in the cup. Chelsea have been decent away from home as well. I think this will be a draw and that’s a good result for Chelsea.”
Merson’s prediction: Newcastle United 1 Chelsea 1.
While Merson thinks a draw would be a good result for Chelsea, Newcastle United will be desperately aiming to secure all three points.
A win would temporarily lift them into the top half of the Premier League table, which is not somewhere they have been too often this season.
In contrast, a defeat for the Magpies could put them at risk of dropping as low as 15th in the Premier League table. That is not where a Champions League club should be heading into Christmas.
The pressure is on Eddie Howe, who should have Lewis Hall back to face Chelsea after missing the Fulham game. Conversely, Tino Livramento is injured and will not face his former club.
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