Game Week 9 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Newcastle at the Stamford Bridge Stadium

Chelsea hosts Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in a key Premier League clash. Both teams seek redemption after recent losses, with Chelsea aiming for top.

Chelsea season could gain a huge lift with a win at home against Newcastle but the visitors need to halt a run of poor results too. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Chelsea vs. Newcastle

Stamford Bridge Stadium

3:00pm

It's crunch time and a pivotal weekend in the English Premier League; the top four are shaping up, and a win for Chelsea here could see them competing with the title contenders given other fixtures and their peculiarities.

The Blues suffered a loss against Liverpool last weekend; despite their best efforts, the quality and experience of the Liverpool team ultimately prevailed, resulting in a 2-1 victory that denied Chelsea a spot in the top four.

Newcastle is currently enduring an indifferent season; their 1-0 loss to Brighton last weekend was their second loss in their last five games, a run in which they have only won once, with their only win coming in a League Cup game against AFC Wimbledon.

Some Saturday results knocked the Magpies out of the top half, so they need to win at least at the Stamford Bridge Stadium if they want to end the weekend in the top half of the Premier League table, where they currently sit twelfth.

Chelsea deployed a high line in the loss at Anfield, which often caught players off guard. It takes time for certain tactics to become ingrained in new players, and with Enzo Maresca having to maneuver his backline, keeping things simple would have aided his cause.

Newcastle's reliance on youngsters on the bench due to injuries and suspensions has been a problem for the past two seasons, but the club is confident that manager Eddie Howe will stay after England announced Thomas Tuchel last week.

What is the expected lineup for this match? Chelsea welcomes back Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana from suspensions; you expect the two to feature after missing the one at Anfield. The managers of the South American contingents, who returned from a round-trip international break, will also take the field.

Eddie Howe has ruled out Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson for the visitors; both are carrying knocks and will not feature, leaving Alexander Isak as the favorite to lead the line alongside Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.

Who are the players to watch? Cole Palmer, who struggled at Anfield, is expected to excel in this match, and Nicolas Jackson could also pose a threat to the visitors. Chelsea must be wary of Gordon; his tricky runs could be too fast for Chelsea’s back line, but in all, we should have an exciting game on our hands.

Verdict: Chelsea is to win.