Paul Merson speaking about Newcastle United.
NUFC with four months of the new season having gone by.
A very intense period of time with Newcastle playing every midweek, due to Champions League and Carabao Cup, as well as Premier League.
Eddie Howe and his team now preparing for their next match.
A 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, at home to Chelsea.
Paul Merson discussing how things now stand for Newcastle United as they prepare for this St James’ Park clash.
Ahead of today’s match on Tyneside, Paul Merson declaring to Sportskeeda; “Newcastle can’t get going at home for some reason.”
All a bit bizarre this comment from lifelong Chelsea fan Merson, United obviously struggling for victories on the road this season with only two wins away in all competitions…BUT since September, the last nine games at St James’ Park have seen eight home wins and one draw. Victories at St James’ Park against Benfica, Forest, Spurs, Athletic Club, Fulham, Man City, Burnley and Fulham (again), whilst the odd one out should have made it nine wins out of nine but two soft late equalisers conceded against Spurs in the Premier League.
I wouldn’t say Newcastle United have been spectacular at home BUT in all of these last nine home games I think Eddie Howe’s side were the better team, plus Newcastle have scored at least two goals in each of these last nine SJP matches. Indeed, with the number of chances created generally in these home games, Newcastle should have scored more.
Predicting a 1-1 draw, Paul Merson also claims; “Chelsea have been decent away from home as well.”
In their last four away games, Chelsea have lost at both Leeds and Atalanta, got a goalless draw at out of form Bournemouth, their only recent away win at League One Cardiff and that needed an opening goal gifted by the opposition and then the opposition equalising, before two late goals prevented Chelsea going to penalties.
What I do agree with Paul Merson about, is when he says that this game; “… is a fixture that can have great impact on who finishes inside the top four in the Premier League.”
Merson making the point that the two sides are hoping to qualify for the Champions League and if Chelsea win, that would put them nine points clear of Newcastle United, whereas the gap closes to only three points between the pair, if Eddie Howe’s team are victorious.
Jackie Smithfield
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