Premiership Betting Preview: Chelsea vs Newcastle United

After dropping eight points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United, Chelsea will be looking for nothing less than 3 points as they host Newcastle United in this midweek match-up.

Chelsea have accumulated ten points less this season than at the same stage last season. The Stamford Bridge faithful face a long winter of playing catch-up, especially if Manchester United's form continues. A draw against Arsenal, last weekend, saw the blues close a nine point gap to eight, with a game in hand.

The game in hand is played this Wednesday as Chelsea face Newcastle at home. Jose Mourinho has already predicted the gap between themselves and Manchester United will be down to 5 points after this match. 'The special one' is probably correct in his prediction, but this game is by no means over before it is played.

Newcastle are finally hitting a patch of form. Roeder's boys are unbeaten in six games and recently took all three points from a tricky Reading side. The Magpies have had little success at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons. three, four and five - nil thrashings have been the order of the day in years gone by. I don't expect Newcastle to roll over and die for this one, however.

Chelsea are as short as 1/4 with Bet365 - this is probably a fair price, but it is just too short to bother with. Instead, look towards the HT/FT markets where prices approaching even money will be on offer, especially on the betting exchanges.

Can Newcastle spring a surprise? In short, no. The Geordies will be delighted with a draw here. Indeed, a point would be like a win for travelling Newcastle fans.

Better odds for Chelsea exist in the correct score markets. 1-0 to Chelsea is an attractive 5/1 with BlueSq. 2-0, also at 5/1 and 3-0 at 7/1 appear the safest selections here.

The first goalscorer market is often a lottery, however, in this case we can all but discount all of the Newcastle team from the bet. If Newcastle do manage to score first, you have to suspect it'll be largely part to a major defensive error, or a moment of genius. Chelsea's defence is very solid and Newcastle possess little in the way of genius. So, Drogba at 10/3 and Lampard at 5/1, both with BlueSq are tempting.

Ed note: Make your bets on this game and other Premiership matches at Bet365

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