Chelsea will look to bounce back from their Premier League loss last weekend when they play host to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Chelsea fell to a 2-1 loss to Liverpool last time out, though they go into the Magpies game on the back of a 4-1 win over Panathinaikos in the Europa League.
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Meanwhile, Newcastle’s league form hasn’t been great lately, with their last win coming on 15 September when they beat Wolves at St James’ Park.
Paul Merson, one of the pundits who regularly previews and predicts Premier League fixtures, has now had his say on Chelsea v Newcastle.
Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea runs with the ball past Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United on his way to scoring his team’s third goal during the Premi…
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Paul Merson backs Chelsea to beat Newcastle but with a word of warning for Enzo Maresca
Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, believes Chelsea will win 3-1 at Newcastle, though he also offered some words of warning to the Blues.
“I just hope Chelsea don’t become flat track bullies,” he wrote. “They failed to win against City and Liverpool.
“Well, you could say they did play well at Anfield last weekend but they ended up losing even then!
“Cole Palmer never touched the ball in that game.
“This is the problem Chelsea are going to have now, teams will stop Palmer and they have to find solutions.
“Chelsea will be fine against teams like Newcastle, who blow hot and cold all the time.
“Enzo Maresca’s men need a win quickly because they’ve dropped outside the top four now.
“If Aston Villa win this weekend and Chelsea don’t get three points against Newcastle, that widens the gap further.”
READ MORE: Glenn Hoddle shares what Chelsea ‘won’t be happy with’ in win over Panathinaikos
Chelsea v Newcastle team news
Chelsea will have Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella available after they missed the 2-1 loss at Anfield through suspension.
Cucurella played the full 90 minutes against Panathinaikos, so Enzo Maresca may well name Malo Gusto at left-back.
Reece James is also available after coming through his comeback at Liverpool unscathed.
Newcastle will again be without Callum Wilson after he appeared to suffer a setback in his return from injury.
Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are all out injured.
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