Labouring Newcastle set to be edged by Conte's Chelsea

Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League, 3pm Sunday

Antonio Conte is widely expected to vacate the Chelsea hotseat after this game and the fallen champions can ensure they give their Italian boss a decent Premier League send-off by finishing the league campaign with victory at labouring Newcastle.

Conte guided Chelsea to the Premier League title last season at the first time of asking and if he is leaving his post this summer he will be keen to finish his stint in charge on a high with an FA Cup success against Manchester United.

The Blues are relying on Brighton to stun Liverpool at Anfield to have any chance of securing Champions League football next season but they can deliver their part of the bargain on their trip to Tyneside.

Newcastle have been flagging since passing the 40-point mark by beating Arsenal in mid-April, losing their last four league games and failing to score in three of them, and their motivation appears to be on the wane.

Each of the Magpies' last four defeats have been by a one-goal margin and it could be the same story against a Chelsea side who tend to be efficeint rather than emphatic.

The Blues will be disappointed to have been held to 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield in midweek but they did win the shot-count 22-3 and are unlikely to find a Newcastle side drifting towards the summer anywhere near as stubborn.

Chelsea had won their previous four league matches by one-goal margins and should be in better shape going forward with Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud expected to be recalled to the starting side.

Rafael Benitez's main aim was to keep Newcastle in the Premier League so to be tenth heading into the final day of the season should delight home supporters.

However, it's clear to see that the Magpies' performances have dropped since they secured their survival and Kenedy's ineligibility to face his parent club leaves them short of attacking threat in midfield.

The visitors have recorded consecutive away wins at Southampton (3-2), Burnley (2-1) and Swansea (1-0) and may have to settle for another narrow road success at Newcastle, who have conceded just seven times in their last eight league matches.

Recommendation
Chelsea to win by one goal
1pt 13-5 BoyleSports

Premier League standings

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Newcastle
Kenedy is ineligible to face his parent club. Islam Slimani is suspended and Ciaran Clark and Christian Atsu are out.

Chelsea
Keeper Thibaut Courtois is available and Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud are likely to earn recalls to the staring line-up.

Key stat
Newcastle's last seven league games have been settled by one goal.

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