BBC Sport pundit on the money here with this one on Newcastle United?

Some interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking ahead of Saturday’s match.

Newcastle United facing Chelsea.

United facing Enzo Maresca’s  side at St James’ Park in a 12.30pm kick-off.

The Newcastle United players knowing they will close within three points of Chelsea with a win today.

BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has given his full consideration to today’s match, so is he on the money?

Hopefully that is the case, as Sutton has predicted a 2-1 home win on Tyneside ahead of Christmas.

The BBC Sport man states that this; “…prediction is mainly based on Chelsea’s recent record at St James’ Park, which is poor – they have not got anything there since 2021.”

Chris Sutton isn’t wrong.

The four Newcastle v Chelsea matches played at St James’ Park under Eddie Howe, have all been won by NUFC, scoring nine goals in the quartet of victories and conceding only one.

On the topic of home form, the last nine matches at St James’ Park this season in all competitions, have seen eight wins and one draw.

Chris Sutton does have a word of warning though; “Both teams won in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but it feels like Newcastle’s squad is being stretched more at the moment.”

As Eddie Howe has pointed out, there is a real imbalance when it comes to which players are missing.

Newcastle United badly hit on the defensive side of things. Lewis Hall expected to return after missing the midweek game but with Tino Livramento joining the injury list, midfielder Lewis Miley seemingly set to continue out of position at right-back. Thiaw and Schar hopefully ok to start again.

However, things looking far more positive in terms of attacking options. Yoane Wissa at last starting (and scoring!) a game for United  and so Eddie Howe finally with two strikers available. Indeed, in both midfield and attack, Will Osula is the only definite absentee, though of course Miley needing to play in defence. Joelinton has been nursing a groin issue and was an unused sub the last two matches, only to be used in an emergency Eddie Howe revealed. Interesting today to see if anything has changed on that front, whether Joelinton will get on the pitch against Chelsea, as a starter or as a sub.