By Alex Roberts
Newcastle are starting to stumble, losing, winning, and drawing their last three games, in that order, while Chelsea are starting to pick up a little bit of form. That famous St James’ Park crowd are needed now more than ever.
Cole Palmer is back, baby
Yes, we wrote those exact words after he scored in Chelsea’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth earlier in the season, he then went 18 games without a goal. We were wrong, but hear us out, this time we think he really IS back.
In the 3-1 win over Liverpool, it wasn’t just his late penalty that made us realise, it was a moment before that. Palmer, running along the byline, hit the post from a tight angle, nearly catching Alisson out.
It was the type of move he was doing when he was at his best, supremely confident in his abilities. The net didn’t ripple but the glint in his eye was back. He’s still Chelsea’s best attacking threat with 15 goals and eight assists in his 34 league games. Don’t be surprised if he adds more to that.
No Joelinton, no party
The big Brazilian was a big miss in the 1-1 draw with Brighton. Newcastle have arguably the best and most balanced midfield three with him, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães roaming the pitch, when one of them are missing, it’s a little off.
Joe Willock has his qualities but as demonstrated in their previous fixture, without Joelinton’s physicality, the other two aren’t able to operate as high up the field as they would like to create.
With 59 aerial duels won, 149 recoveries, and a 61.4% tackle success rate in the Premier League this season, Joelinton’s transition into midfield is one of the great success stories. Losing him now could not have come at a worse time.
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
Speaking of deeply missed midfielders, Roméo Lavia is starting to show just how good he is at football. In the win over Liverpool, there is an argument to be made he was the best player on the pitch.
100% of his passes met their mark, 100% of his passes were completed and with six defensive actions, he hardly put a foot wrong. Of course, Enzo Maresca is right to be cautious considering his recent injury struggles, bringing him off in the 78th minute.
It was only his 16th game for the club, but it looked like his 100th. It poses the question; would Chelsea have struggled if Lavia had been fit all season?
The bigger picture
Either one of Newcastle or Chelsea could lose this one and still look good for a top five finish once the season ends. Points will be dropped in the six-club race (yes, we’re including Arsenal) for a CL spot, it’s all about concentrating on your own game.
No matter what happens between Villa and Bournemouth, Unai Emery’s side are unlikely to enter the top five due to their goal difference (+6). Nottingham Forest play just after this one and with one win in their last five, a visit from already-relegated Leicester could be worse.
With no relegation battle or title challenge, all the drama has come down to the race for CL qualification. No pressure lads.
Prediction
There is a lot at stake here, this will likely be one of the cagier games of the run-in. That home advantage should see Newcastle through, however. We’re going with a 2-1 win for Eddie Howe’s side.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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