5th Dec 2014 | Premier League
No Matic, No Matter?
The Toon have won 2 in a row at home to Chelsea and have their midfield dynamo back while the Blues lose a key figure in the centre of the park.
Newcastle have actually won their last two matches at home to Chelsea which in some respects makes odds of 13/2 on the Magpies very appealing. Then again, the league leaders have gone 23 matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Instead I would recommend taking the Blues to draw for the second Saturday in a row at best odds of 10/3.
On the face of it Chelsea will romp home with Diego Costa back available, but the loss of Nemanja Matic may prove far more significant than the Spaniard’s return. That impact will only be heightened by the return of the Toon’s midfield enforcer, Moussa Sissoko.
Alan Pardew’s men are unbeaten at home since the opening day (W3 D2) and have only conceded three goals in their last seven league outings. The confidence that brings could see Man City close the gap still further at the top of the table this weekend.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 18:27 5th Dec, 2014 but subject to change
