Newcastle United v Chelsea: Prediction, Tips and Odds

A huge match in the battle for a UEFA Champions League position takes place at St James' Park on Sunday, when Newcastle United host Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Magpies sit fourth in the standings, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea but ahead of the Blues by virtue of goals scored, and a win for either side on Tyneside would put them a step closer to a top-five finish.

It is all set up for an enthralling contest in the north east as the battle for a place in Europe's top competition next season looks like it will go right down to the wire.

Newcastle United v Chelsea betting tips and predictions

Newcastle United to win - 23/20

Newcastle have already won a cup final this season but this clash against Chelsea, along with their remaining two matches against Arsenal (A) and Everton (H), will feel like three more cup finals for them.

With Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa both in contention for a top-five finish, any slip-ups from now until the end of the campaign could be fatal to each club's aspirations of reaching the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea, who were once seen as title challengers this season, arrive fresh from a 1-0 victory over Djurgarden in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final, a result that sent the Blues into the final to face Real Betis.

It also extended their winning streak to five matches in all competitions and there is clearly some rhythm in the squad, although it's worth noting that three of those contests were played at Stamford Bridge and their form on the road hasn't been as good.

While making light work of the opposition on their travels in the Conference League, Enzo Maresca's side have struggled coming up against Premier League sides and have won just one of their last nine away top-flight games.

That disappointing spell includes defeats at Ipswich Town, Manchester City, Brighton, Arsenal and Aston Villa, while they were also held to draws at Crystal Palace, Everton and Brentford.

Chelsea now face a Newcastle side that have lost just one of their last eight in the league and have won five on the bounce at home in the top flight.

A 4-3 triumph over Forest has been followed by victories over Brentford (2-1), Manchester United (4-1), Palace (5-0) and Ipswich (3-0), and St James' Park has been rocking in recent weeks.

This looks like a perfect opportunity for the Magpies to extend their impressive home record, which is the sixth-best in the division, and deal a blow to one of their UEFA Champions League rivals.

Alexander Isak anytime goalscorer - 6/5

Newcastle haven't been short of goals this season, with only champions Liverpool (81) and third-placed Manchester City (67) scoring more than their haul of 66 heading into this weekend's fixtures.

Leading from the front for the Magpies has been Sweden international Alexander Isak, who has scored 27 goals from 40 appearances in all competitions.

The 25-year-old has scored in his last two outings, against Ipswich and Brighton, while he has netted six times from his last six home games.

Also, having failed to score in his first appearance against Chelsea, Isak has since found the back of the net in each of the last four meetings with the Blues.

Bruno Guimaraes and Nicolas Jackson to both commit over 1.5 fouls - 9/2

Newcastle and Chelsea have both got stuck in this season and the pair have accumulated several fouls, with the potential of more coming their way on Sunday.

Bruno Guimaraes has been a regular offender for the Magpies, making 67 fouls this term in all competitions. The Brazilian midfielder has been pulled up two or more times in three of his last five appearances and he can follow that same path on Tyneside.

Another player that has struggled to avoid the referee's gaze is Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who has made at least two fouls in three of his last four outings.

The Senegal international made two fouls when these sides met in October's reverse fixture and he could repeat that trick at St James' Park.

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Newcastle United v Chelsea odds

Newcastle United - 23/20
Draw - 11/4
Chelsea - 2/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.