Newcastle v Chelsea predictions: Gulf in class set to tell at St James' Park

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Chelsea v Newcastle United in the English Premier League.

Kick-off

3pm Saturday

Best bet

Chelsea-Chelsea double result
2pts 21-20 bet365, BoyleSports

Team news

Newcastle
Jonjo Shelvey is available after suspension, but Martin Dubravka, Freddie Woodman and Paul Dummett are out.

Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek can feature. But Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic are expected to miss out.

Match preview

Parallels between Chelsea's rise under Roman Abramovich and the aspirations of Newcastle's new owners have been drawn by some since the Toon's takeover, but for now having a wealthy benefactor is where the similarities end.

Chelsea and Newcastle are worlds apart on the pitch judged by the evidence of this season and the European champions should show that at St James' Park on Saturday.

Despite being just nine games into the season, the Blues have already amassed 18 points more than Newcastle and have conceded 17 fewer goals.

Chelsea are a machine of ruthless efficiency under Thomas Tuchel - they make the most of their chances and rarely allow their opponents a sniff.

They have outperformed their expect-goals figure by almost one goal per game this season, and at the other end boast a world-class goalkeeper who has picked the ball out of his own net just three times.

The Blues have been ahead at the break in all but one of their seven league wins this season and can again assert their dominance early.

Key stat

Chelsea have conceded only one goal from open play in the Premier League this season.

Inside info

Newcastle

Penalty taker Callum Wilson
Free-kick wizard Matt Ritchie
Set-piece aerial threat Jamaal Lascelles
Card magnet Isaac Hayden

Chelsea

Penalty taker Jorginho
Free-kick wizardMason Mount
Set-piece aerial threatAntonio Rudiger
Card magnetAntonio Rudiger

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