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Chelsea host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening in a match that could have a massive say about which teams will be playing Champions League football next season.
Chelsea currently sit in sixth position, five points behind third place Arsenal with a game in hand.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side are in a fantastic run of form, unbeaten in eleven games, they also find themselves in a Champions League and FA Cup final so it could still prove to be one of the most successful campaigns in The Blues history.
The Italian has impressed everybody at the club since taking charge on a interim basis in February with many people now tipping him to be given the job full time.
Di Matteo’s men were devastating against Queens Park Rangers last time out, thrashing their London rivals 6-1.
This match also saw a welcome return to form for Fernando Torres, the Spaniard scored his first Hat-trick for Chelsea.
The London side are unbeaten at home since December, winning ten from 13 across all competitions so the dressing room will be in very high spirits going into this one.
As Newcastle, they have had a fantastic season and currently occupy fifth place.
Alan Pardew’s side had been on a run of six straight victories until a shock 4-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday, a result which saw The Magpies slip back down to fifth.
Pardew’s men know they will have to return to form if they are to finish in the top four, with trips to Chelsea and Everton and a home game against Manchester City they know it will be very difficult.
Newcastle have surprised everybody this campaign, however they not be happy to just admire the season they have had and not compete with the big teams for a top four finish.
Saturdays game at Wigan saw Papiss Cisse fail to score for the first time in six matches so the Senegalese striker will be looking to get himself back on the score-sheet this time out.
Match Odds
Chelsea go into this game as big favourites, you can back them at 1.57 (4/7) with StanJames.
Newcastle know they will have to upset the odds to take all three points on Wednesday, this is being offered at 6.5 (11/2) with VC Bet. A draw is available at 4.00 (3/1) with SkyBet.
First Goal-Scorer
After his hat-trick at the weekend, Fernando Torres is unsurprisingly one of the favourites to get the scoring underway with odds of 6.00 (5/1) with Bet365.
Papiss Cisse looks like being The Magpies best chance of breaking the deadlock. You can back him at 9.00 (8/1) with Ladbrokes.
Recommended Bet
With both sides wanting to take all three points here, goals could come thick and fast. A recommended bet is for The Blues to win 23-2 which is being offered at 26.00 (25/1) with BetFred.
