Two teams battling injury and form meet at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Newcastle in the League Cup quaterfinals.
A chance to reach the final four of the competition is on the line, and with both sides struggling for results in other competitions, this is a chance for some modicum of redemption.
Newcastle were dumped from Europe in heartbreaking fashion, finishing last in their brutally difficult Champions League group while enduring a nearly comical injury list that continues to grow with each fixture. Eddie Howe has been forced to work around a bruised and battered squad missing key players at literally every position, and it has taken its toll on the pitch.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have struggled in Mauricio Pochettino's first season amid a patchwork squad that looks far from a completed project, despite Todd Boehly's obscene spending spree. Injuries have also beset the Blues, making an already oddly constructed teamsheet often difficult to decipher.
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Chelsea vs Newcastle prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+300)
- Score prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Newcastle
- To qualify: Chelsea to advance (-220)
This match could truly go either way, but as we saw against Fulham, Newcastle can trouble any flawed side regardless of their injuries. Howe's squad has surprisingly strength in depth, and even while that is being stress tested, the fact they can still even prove competitive against quality European sides is a minor miracle.
While Pochettino will be tempted to play his starters, Howe will likely deploy some academy players. Still, this Chelsea squad is still laden with flaws that can be exploited by Newcastle. Chelsea are deserving favorites given their likelihood to deploy more first-team players, but the value on a Magpies result on the road is simply too good to pass up, even if they unltimately fall short in a penalty shootout thanks to inexperience on the field.
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| Chelsea win | Draw | Newcastle win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | CHE -0.5 | NEW +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unibet (AU) | $1.81 | $3.75 | $4.30 | $1.74/ $2.04 | $1.83 / $2.00 | $1.86 | $1.97 |
Chelsea vs Newcastle match facts
- Date: Tuesday, December 19 (Wed, Dec 20 AEDT)
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (7 a.m. AEDT / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: Stamford Bridge (London, England)
- Official: Jarred Gillett
- Last meeting: Newcastle 4-1 Chelsea (Nov. 25, 2023 | Premier League)
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Chelsea vs Newcastle: best bet
- Pick: Over 2.5 goals
- Odds: $1.84 (Unibet)
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While Chelsea boss Pochettino can afford to play his starters more than his counterpart, he'll be tempted to make some changes in defence. Thiago Silva is now 39 and is a prime candidate to be rested, and the Chelsea back line looks considerably weaker with him on the sidelines. Add in the injury to Robert Sanchez and the youth in the rest of the defensive unit, and there's reason to think Newcastle can find goals.
On the flip side, Chelsea may get a big boost in the return of Christopher Nkunku, a much-needed addition to take over for a struggling Nicolas Jackson. With Armando Broja also possibly getting a chance to shine and the Newcastle back line beset by countless injuries, this match should see goals at both ends.
Chelsea vs Newcastle prop bet
- Pick: Raheem Sterling anytime goal scorer
- Odds: $3.00 (Unibet)
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While it's been an inconsistent season for Raheem Sterling on the whole, he's at least been more reliable than most other Chelsea forwards. Sterling had a prolific November, and while it's quieted back down in December, he's still in a good spot to find the net here.
Sterling scored in his last EFL Cup match, a 90-minute performance in the 2-0 win over Blackburn, and given Newcastle's injuries and potential to deploy a few second-choice players, he may find a multitude of chances.
