24th Aug 2012 | Football
Chelsea v Newcastle Correct Score Tip
Chelsea can take advantage of Newcastle’s attacking formation but are loose enough themselves to concede.
Newcastle were the surprise package last season and having kept hold of their best players, they enter the 2012/13 season with an abundance of attacking talent.
Papiss Cisse and the returning Hatem Ben Arfa added attacking brio to the already established Demba Ba but the trio might be their undoing this year.
In their first ten away games last season, Newcastle conceded only 14 goals, often when Ba played as a lone striker. However, from January onwards they leaked 20 goals in their remaining nine games, a result of a more expansive formation with Cisse and Ben Arfa joining Ba in attack.
Based on the opening game of the season, Alan Pardew looks likely to continue with this attacking formation and that could spell trouble at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have started the season in an attacking vein themselves, with Eden Hazard an instant hit. Despite a difficult period under Andres Villas-Boas, the Blues managed to win 11 of their 16 homes games last season, ignoring contests against the top-3 in the league – City, United and Arsenal.
I expect plenty of goals but for the home side to ultimately come out on top. Therefore at 11/1 (Skybet) the value is on Chelsea to win 3-1.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 12:13 24th Aug, 2012 but subject to change
