Rafa Benitez will be looking to come back to haunt his former club when he takes his Newcastle United side to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea for Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Having lifted the Europa League in his six-month caretaker stint in West London, the Spaniard is priced at 15/1 (16.00) with Betfair Sportsbook to mastermind a shock victory on his return.
However, the Blues are enjoying a four-match winning streak on home turf, and are clear 1/5 (1.20) favourites to extend that to five in a row by taking all three points in this one.
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Just one of the last 10 encounters between these sides has resulted in a draw, but there are odds of 11/2 (6.50) on this one finishing up all square.
After sitting pretty in the top half of the table in October, the Magpies have come crashing back down to earth with a run that has seen them collect just one point from the last available 15.
Despite the tactical excellence of their manager, the newly-promoted outfit have become increasingly unstuck due to a lack of quality in front of goal.
Having scored just three times in their last five fixtures, the misfiring guests will surely struggle to break down a resolute opposition defence that has only conceded a single goal in their own previous five in all competitions.
Indeed, odds of 5/6 (1.83) seem rather generous on Antonio Conte’s side proving far too strong at both ends of the pitch and winning to nil for their fifth game in six.
That bet would have paid out in three of the last four meetings between these sides at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have enjoyed 15 wins and been defeated just once in 22 league matches against Newcastle.
Chelsea to win to nil for a 2pt stake at 5/6 with Betfair
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