Chris Sutton predicts what the score will be between Newcastle and Chelsea on Saturday

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton is unsure if the international break has helped Newcastle United ahead of their game against Chelsea.

Newcastle were in the midst of a massive injury crisis before the break, with players hurting themselves left, right and centre.

Luckily, all of their internationals appear to have returned unscathed, as Eddie Howe‘s side prepares to take on Chelsea at St James’ Park.

He will be hoping for a much better performance than the one he witnessed against Bournemouth. That was a shocking night for the Magpies.

But Newcastle will be a bit stronger. Bruno Guimaraes is back from suspension, while it is hoped that Alexander Isak will make his return from a groin injury.

Beating Chelsea would be a real confidence boost ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, but Chris Sutton does not expect Newcastle to pick up all three points.

Chris Sutton predicts Newcastle vs Chelsea will be a draw

As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton has tipped Newcastle and Chelsea to draw 1-1 on Saturday.

“Newcastle looked really jaded in their defeat by Bournemouth before the international break,” he said.

“They have got some injured players back in contention, including Alexander Isak, but the question is how fit are they, and how much has changed in two weeks?

“It’s a similar story with Chelsea, who could hand Christopher Nkunku his debut but, if that happens, it will probably be off the bench. They are improving, yes, but they are still so erratic, which makes this game almost impossible to call.

“There are signs they have turned a corner and they were so impressive at times against Manchester City but you can’t rely on them to play well again here.

“To be honest, I feel like giving up when it comes to making predictions about Chelsea games anyway – I get their scores wrong every week, so I am ready to be proved wrong again here.”

Break will have done Newcastle the world of good

While Newcastle’s injury crisis has not got too much better following the conclusion of the international break, those that are fit will have benefitted from a bit of time off.

Eddie Howe made an effort to rest his players following the Bournemouth defeat, and they should return revitalised ahead of a very challenging week.

The Magpies’ squad is already stretched, and it could be stretched further by the time we’ve been to Paris then welcomed Manchester United to Tyneside.

For now, all Newcastle can focus on is Chelsea. Even with the injuries, Howe will be able to put out a strong side, while his XI might even include the talented Lewis Miley once again.

It is a difficult one to predict given how unreliable Chelsea are, so it would not be a surprise if Sutton is correct with his claim that it will be a 1-1 draw. That seems to be the consensus, with Paul Merson predicting the same scoreline.