Game Week 17 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Newcastle

Premier League GW17 preview: Newcastle vs Chelsea at St James' Park – title hopes, cup runs, injuries, Palmer return; verdict Chelsea win.

Chelsea must win this game to prove that they're not a spent force as they hope to restore some beliefs to their squad. (Photo credit: Khel)

Newcastle United vs Chelsea

St James’s Park

1:30pm

Chelsea’s title credentials have been questioned many times, and as the Blues continue to fall short in important fixtures, no one can blame the bookmakers for not taking them seriously in the title race.

Newcastle has been a disappointing club this season; they struggle to pick up points in the league but have done relatively well in cup competitions. Do they have what it takes to trouble Chelsea at St James’s Park on Saturday?

This is game week 17; two more and we can take half-season stocks. There’s still time for both clubs to score a decent B because one win is capable of catapulting a team to high places this season, and a loss can do the same in the opposite direction.

Newcastle’s form is as inconsistent as Chelsea’s, and you wonder if there’s going to be anything between them in this game. The Magpies beat Fulham with a late goal on Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Manchester City over two legs in February.

For Chelsea, they needed a strong second-half performance to get rid of Championship side Cardiff, as they won 3-1, a result that has earned them a 2-legged semifinal clash against the winner between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

In the league, Newcastle suffered humiliation last weekend in the Wearside derby. One of their own, Nick Woltemade, headed home, past his own goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, as Sunderland took all the spoils. Can Newcastle bring the anger into this fixture?

Chelsea did just enough to see off Everton last weekend. It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was efficient, as the returning Cole Palmer showed the fans what they’ve been missing in his absence. Will the England playmaker ignite this fixture?

AFCON has nothing on the two sides, as no single player from either side is playing in Africa’s foremost football tournament; however, injury has a number on both sides. Estevao has joined Chelsea’s injury list, while Newcastle will be without Tino Livramento and a host of others.

Yoan Wissa is back! We expect Nick Woltemade to start, but the Congolese is expected to play some part in this one. Joao Pedro will hope to revive his numbers, while the wingers on both sides will hope to shine; this is a sensational way to start the weekend.

Verdict: Chelsea to win at Newcastle.