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As Newcastle United prepares for a challenging visit to Stamford Bridge, Paul Merson has shared his Premier League predictions, tipping Chelsea for a comfortable 3-1 win. The former Arsenal midfielder’s analysis focused mainly on Chelsea’s performance and concerns, giving limited attention to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
“Chelsea will be fine against teams like Newcastle, who blow hot and cold all the time,” Merson remarked in his Sportskeeda column. While acknowledging Newcastle’s recent inconsistency, Merson’s comments may appear dismissive of a Magpies side eager to challenge top teams.
Merson expressed hope that Chelsea wouldn’t become “flat-track bullies,” stating, “They failed to win against City and Liverpool. They did play well at Anfield but ended up losing. Cole Palmer didn’t touch the ball in that game, which is something Chelsea will need to address.” He pointed out that teams may start marking Palmer more closely, putting added pressure on Chelsea to adapt their attacking strategy.
“Chelsea will need to secure a win,” Merson added, especially as they risk falling further from the top four with Aston Villa close on their heels. Merson highlighted the importance of Chelsea’s midfield balance, particularly praising the defensive pairing of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo against Liverpool for maintaining solidity, though he noted a gap in their ability to transition the ball effectively to Palmer.
“Enzo Fernandez is a better passer and can get the ball out to Palmer more consistently,” Merson continued. “If Palmer doesn’t get touches on the ball, Chelsea aren’t winning many matches.”
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