The Sky Sports column ‘Jones Knows’ has given some interesting analysis and commentary on what is currently the position at Newcastle United.
The column makes predictions on what will happen at certain Premier League matches and also debates other matters / issues at clubs as well.
However, unlike the usual ex-pro predictions, that are usually simply based on how ‘big’ a club is and whether or not they won the previous game, this one has proper analysis and insight, not lazy assumptions.
The Sky Sports ‘Jones Knows’ column looks at the matches from a betting perspective and has been concentrating on this Newcastle United game away at Chelsea.
Lewis Jones (who is the Sky Sports expert behind the ‘Jones Knows’ column) has highlighted some major underlying factors that could / should have a big bearing on this Chelsea v Newcastle game.
“Judged by his performances when fit to start, notably against Man City and Chelsea, Romeo Lavia is going to be a breakout star for Chelsea this season.
“He is a smooth and silky player with the ball who has an incredible knack of turning into space past a press.
“His work out of possession is impressive too, winning 15 duels in those starts and registering five tackles.
“That tackle count mirrors his numbers from his time at Southampton where he averaged 2.4 tackles per 90 in the 22/23 season.
“His impact on Chelsea will be big as they climb the table over the next few weeks and his tackle count here against an aggressive Newcastle midfield is worth a look. The 11/10 with Sky Bet for three or more looks good.
“Score Prediction: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1”
Always interesting to hear what the Sky Sports expert has to say with his analysis on Newcastle United matches and some good stuff there.
Obviously on this occasion, concentrating far more on the opposition and one player in particular.
I have to confess, I had to search online to find out exactly who Romeo Lavia is.
The name was kind of familiar but if you had asked me, I wouldn’t even have known what position he plays!
Chelsea spend that much money and sign so many players, turns out they spent £55m on a then 19 year old Romeo Lavia in summer 2023, after Southampton had been relegated.
I watched that Chelsea match last weekend and can’t say he stood out in the defeat to Liverpool. Due mainly to injury, Lavia has only managed two Chelsea starts in the Premier League and both defeats, in the team that lost 2-0 to Man City at home early this season.
Enzo Maresca changed all of the starting eleven for their European game in midweek, so every chance Romeo Lavia will be one of eleven changes today, as Maresca swaps back. Although there again, Chelsea have so many players, who have cost a fortune, they have numerous possibilities for their first team.
Eddie Howe not quite the number of choices available and despite the defeat to Brighton, the performance was largely very good, especially the opening 35 minutes and indeed even after conceding, United still playing well until the substitutions late on ended up seeing the levels dip, rather than step up in those final stages.
The Sky Sports expert has a habit of picking and choosing his stats to rely on.
One that he doesn’t mention is that Romeo Lavia has faced Newcastle United four times and lost them all.
In the 2022/23 season, the then teenager started at St James’ Park in a 3-1 defeat for Southampton, whilst he came off the bench at 0-0 in the 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle. Also off the bench in both League Cup matches that also ended in defeat, those results sending United to Wembley.
Hopefully Romeo Lavia can make it five in a row against Newcastle United today.
As always, a lot of hype around Chelsea, the media absolutely embarrassing the way they go on about them AND fail to point out how ridiculous it is, that the Premier League ‘rules’ have allowed them to spend over £1.5billion on new players in just over two years.
I am not saying this will be an easy match in any way but Newcastle United certainly capable of going there and getting a positive result.
They had a very open and mad game against Brighton, when it was 4-2 after only 41 minutes, their only PL win at home this season.
However, in the other three PL home games, Chelsea have only scored two goals. Those coming in 1-1 home draws against both Forest and Palace, as well as losing 2-0 to Man City at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+
Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
