Chelsea v Newcastle United: Chelsea tipped to destroy Newcastle's European dreams
Chelsea and Newcastle lock horns tonight at the Bridge in what should be an action-packed match as both sides chase a place in the top four.
Newcastle United were in the driving seat at the weekend before they were sensationally ripped apart by Wigan - a result which allowed Spurs to dislodge them in the top four. Tonight they travel to Stamford Bridge, to the home of the Champions League finalists and arguably the luckiest team on the planet right now. From beating Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final with a goal that never was to defeating Barcelona over two legs, Roberto Di Matteo is living a charmed life.
The Blues hammered their nearest and dearest QPR on Sunday, with Fernando Torres continuing his rich vein in front of goal, but how will Chelsea approach this game with a date with Liverpool in the FA Cup final on Saturday? Will Di Matteo rest some of his key players like Kenny Dalglish did last night against Fulham and risk a similar outcome or will he play his strongest 11 and hope that they emerge unscathed?
Chelsea know that their Champions League qualification for next season ultimately hangs on what they achieve in Munich on May 19. However, if they can secure fourth place before that then they can enter the game without any further pressure on their shoulders, and the likes of Newcastle and Spurs could avoid becoming honorary Germans for the night!
Recent meetings between the two sides have produced a glut of goals and with Torres and Cisse on fire we should witness the net bulge a few times tonight, although Petr Cech and Tim Krul are two of the finest keepers in the division.
Newcastle's last victory at Stamford Bridge came in the Carling Cup last season when the Mags sensationally knocked Chelsea out of the competition in a seven-goal thriller. Unfortunately they have not been so lucky in the league. Their last win in West London was 3-1 back in November 1986! But if one man can rewrite history it's Alan Pardew.
One point separates Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs in the battle for fourth place but will Chelsea tonight deliver another hammer blow to Newcastle's hopes or will it be the visitors who leave with their European dreams still in place? Our pundits see this going in Chelsea's favour.
Chelsea v Newcastle United; Kick Off 7.45pm May 2 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Chelsea should have this in the bag.
Home: 18; Draw: 11; Away: 4. TBA 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
