The situation at Chelsea is becoming increasingly dire under manager Mauricio Pochettino. After a surprising loss to Liverpool’s young squad in the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea continues to show inconsistency in form.

The Blues struggled to overcome Leeds in the FA Cup quarterfinals. However, their joy was short-lived as Chelsea dropped points in a Premier League match against Brentford over the weekend. Despite taking the lead with a goal from Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea conceded two goals in the second half, requiring a late Axel Disasi effort to salvage a point.

Currently sitting in 11th place on the Premier League table, Chelsea is 6 points behind the European qualification spots. Although they have one game in hand, their poor performances make it uncertain whether they can close the gap.

In reality, a 7th-place finish in the Premier League only secures a spot in the Europa Conference League, the third-tier European competition. Winning the FA Cup could grant them entry to the Europa League, but the competition remains tough with formidable teams like Man City, Liverpool, Man United, and Newcastle still in contention.

Chelsea’s injury woes further complicate their situation, with up to 10 players potentially unavailable for the next match. Defenders Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and captain Reece James are all sidelined, along with midfielders Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Conor Gallagher. Star striker Christopher Nkunku is expected to return only in April.

On the other hand, Newcastle is also dealing with its share of injury concerns, with 7 key players sidelined for the upcoming match. Joelinton, Lewis Hall, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Matt Targett, and Sandro Tonali (suspended) are unavailable.

The issue of squad depth has been a significant factor in Newcastle’s recent struggles, mirroring Chelsea’s challenges. Their last consecutive wins in the Premier League date back to December of the previous year.

Despite a convincing 3-0 win against Wolves last weekend, Newcastle’s possession was limited to 44%, showcasing their reliance on counter-attacking football. This tactical approach might be employed against Chelsea, aiming to defend stoutly and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities.

However, Newcastle has a poor recent record at Stamford Bridge, losing 10 out of their last 12 away matches against Chelsea. Nevertheless, they managed to dismantle Chelsea 4-1 in the reverse fixture, showcasing the effectiveness of their counter-attacking style.

Special Prediction: Newcastle to avoid defeat – Given Newcastle’s recent form and Chelsea’s instability, Newcastle may secure at least a draw at Stamford Bridge.