Soccer English Premier League Prediction

Chelsea vs Newcastle - Match Preview

⚽ 28 May 2023 - 15:30 GMT +0

A young Chelsea side was beaten 4-1 by Manchester United during midweek in the penultimate act of a dismal season in which they will finish at best 11th in the Premier League (PL) – a position in which they last closed a season back in 1995/96! The six-time English champions have desperately failed to end this campaign on a positive note, winning just one of their last 13 competitive fixtures (D3, L9).

Interim manager Frank Lampard may pick a more experienced side after the Blues started nine players under the age of 24 for the first time in the PL on Thursday as they seek a first home league win since March 4 (D3, L3). Whoever plays, they have a proud record against Newcastle United to uphold as they’ve won the last ten H2Hs here, with each of the last three coming ‘to nil’.

But this is a hugely improved Newcastle than the one that’s underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge since last winning here in May 2012, and they’re on a high having sealed UEFA Champions League qualification with Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Leicester. They could still cap a fine season by finishing third if they win here and Manchester United don’t beat Fulham.

As the Magpies chase a third consecutive unbeaten league away game (W1, D1), they’ll miss injured goalkeeper Nick Pope, who’s kept 14 PL clean sheets this term. However, as they’ve averaged 2.5 goals per game across their last six PL road fixtures (W4, D1, L1), their forwards may have enough firepower for them to prevail even if they can’t keep a first clean sheet here for over a decade.

📋 Players to watch: João Félix has found some late-season form for Chelsea with two goals after the 85th minute across their last four fixtures, while Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães has been busy collecting three yellow cards and scoring once in his side’s last three games.

⚡ Hot stat: Since returning to the PL, Newcastle has won all four final-day fixtures played away from home.