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This Sunday, Chelsea will take on Newcastle United in the Premier League, with the hosts aiming to maintain their strong early-season form.

John Gibson    Oct 27

Chelsea’s current 7th-place standing in the Premier League, with 14 points from eight games, highlights a marked improvement in stability and cohesion under new manager Enzo Maresca. Initially, Maresca’s appointment was met with skepticism from both fans and pundits due to his relative inexperience at the top level, but his early success has quickly silenced doubters. The team now appears more settled and confident in their approach.

This newfound stability can largely be credited to a more balanced starting lineup, something that was missing in the previous season. Last year, Chelsea’s squad was a mix of expensive signings, but they struggled to find a consistent rhythm or identity on the pitch. A big part of the problem was Chelsea’s aggressive but disorganized recruitment under the Clearlake Capital ownership, which saw over £1 billion spent on transfers without much return.

Maresca, however, has made the most of Chelsea’s talented roster by focusing on building a more cohesive unit. His willingness to bench high-profile players like Enzo Fernández and Mikhailo Mudryk in favor of a more balanced team has been key to Chelsea’s improvement.

One standout performer under Maresca has been young defender Levi Colwill. Since being given a starting role, Colwill has flourished, showcasing his exceptional ball-playing skills along with strong defensive fundamentals. His composure at the back has been crucial in helping Chelsea play out from defense, turning their backline into a platform for attacking moves.

Colwill’s rise reflects a broader shift within the squad, where younger players are being integrated more effectively, with development prioritized over flashy new signings. Although Chelsea’s heavy spending in recent transfer windows raised concerns about the club’s long-term strategy, Maresca seems to be steering the team toward a more sustainable, development-focused approach, with players like Noni Madueke also making great strides under his guidance.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United have had a less-than-ideal start to their season. With 12 points from eight games, they sit two places behind Chelsea in 9th, but their performances have been underwhelming. After last season’s injury-hit campaign, many expected Newcastle to push for European places this year, but they’ve struggled to find momentum.

Eddie Howe, who has been a fan favorite for his role in the club’s resurgence, is now facing increased pressure as results have been below expectations. Although his position isn’t immediately in jeopardy, there are whispers of friction between Howe and newly appointed sporting director Paul Mitchell. Mitchell, who replaced Dan Ashworth, is rumored to have a different vision for the club than Howe, raising questions about the direction Newcastle will take if results don’t improve.

Despite their difficulties, Newcastle can take some positives from the development of their young players. Left-back Lewis Hall has shown promise, and his gradual improvement offers hope for Newcastle’s future. After a rocky start, Hall is starting to live up to his potential, and if he continues to progress, he could become a key player for the club.

Chelsea head into this match in good form, having lost only one of their last eight games, including three wins in their last five. Most recently, they secured a 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos in Athens, with João Félix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Christopher Nkunku all on the scoresheet. Before that, Chelsea put in a strong showing at Anfield but ultimately fell 2-1 to Liverpool, following a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and two impressive wins over Ghent and Brighton.

In contrast, Newcastle are in a slump, with just one win in their last five matches. Their most recent game saw them lose 1-0 at home to Brighton despite dominating the match and missing several key chances. This followed a goalless draw at Everton, a 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Before that, they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Fulham.

Chelsea are in far better form than Newcastle, having won three of their last five games, while Newcastle have only one win in the same period. Away from home, Newcastle have struggled, winning just once in four away games this season. Chelsea’s strong record at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle—having won four of the last five meetings—suggests they’re in a good position to extend that success.

Both teams are likely to score, as neither has kept a clean sheet in their last five encounters. Newcastle have not won at Stamford Bridge since 2012, and Chelsea will look to build on their strong home record in this fixture.

Matchoutlook Prediction : Home Win (2-1)

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