"Can see this one being a good battle" - Dimitar Berbatov makes bold prediction for Chelsea vs Newcastle United
Former Premier League star Dimitar Berbatov has tipped Newcastle United to hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Chelsea are set to host Eddie Howe's side at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. As the European champions face uncertainty regarding their ownership, this will be their first home match in around three weeks.
Chelsea will be looking to extend their winning run in the Premier League to five games. Newcastle, on the other hand, will be keen to continue their fine form, having been unbeaten in nine consecutive league matches.
@NUFC boss Eddie Howe has won three of his five #PL away matches against Chelsea
👔 @NUFC boss Eddie Howe has won three of his five #PL away matches against Chelsea
Of all visiting managers to have taken charge of at least three games at Stamford Bridge in the competition, Howe has the best win rate
#CHENEW https://t.co/JyXLowacph
With both sides high on confidence at the moment, Berbatov expects the clash to be a tight one. Having been impressed with the Magpies' togetherness in recent weeks, the Bulgarian tipped them to take points off the Blues today. He wrote in his column for The Metro:
"Chelsea have been doing really well on the pitch, they have been getting the job done with everything going on in the background. I have been really impressed with Newcastle, you can see that there is a real togetherness there and they are all working hard for each other which makes a massive difference in games. I can see this one being a good battle. Prediction 1-1."
Tuchel's side currently sit third in the Premier League table, with 56 points from 27 matches. Whereas, the Magpies have 31 points to their name and are placed 14th.
Newcastle's upturn in form since the start of the year is noteworthy. Howe's side were sitting 19th in the table at the end of December. Almost three months down the line, they have now steered clear of the relegation zone.
The Tyneside outfit have not lost a game since the turn of the year. Their last Premier League defeat came against Manchester City last December.
What Chelsea boss Tuchel said ahead of Newcastle clash?
Blues owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom due to his ties with Russia. The oligarch has already put the London club up for sale amidst the ongoing issues.
Tuchel feels the best way for his team to deal with the off-field issues to continue winning games on the pitch. Speaking ahead of the Blues' clash with Newcastle, the German said [via The Sport Review]:
“It’s always the best way for a football team, to carry on winning. Of course, also for us it’s maybe at the moment a bit more difficult because of the noise. There will be some players who feel uncertainty, some will maybe be a bit frightened, some will be concerned. It’s normal."
“That’s why it’s very important that we keep the trust and the belief in the training centre, in all of us, and we rely on ourselves and in the end allow ourselves to be the guys who take care of the sport, because we did not cause the situation, we cannot solve the situation."
“So it can also I think give us a little bit the freedom in the end to still enjoy what we are doing and still follow the responsibility to give everything and what we demand from ourselves. This is what we do and I am happy that we can still produce results and performances. We will be on it again to be ready for Sunday.”
Thomas Tuchel is staying determined despite Chelsea's current situation 🗣 https://t.co/aHLjcKWvfk
It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.