The in-play guide to Chelsea vs Newcastle
There isn't much at stake, but Chelsea's Sunday 1.30pm clash with Newcastle should still be entertaining, and as these three trends prove, there are huge opportunities to make money betting in-play too...
Newcastle can't afford to concede first
No team in England are more professional at making a lead count than Chelsea, who have won 16 of the 18 Premier League games in which they have scored the opening goal and drawn the other two, meaning that if - as expected - the Blues are responsible for breaking the deadlock at Stamford Bridge this Sunday, then it's well worth betting heavily on the home win at that stage, even though the odds will obviously be fairly short. Newcastle have recovered just six points when behind this term, the joint-third worst tally in the division.
Brace yourself for early excitement
Chelsea and Newcastle have met twice already this season, and on both occasions the opening goal came in the sixth minute. So if you're adamant that there will be under 2.5 goals in this encounter, as was the case when they clashed on Tyneside, then it may be wise to swerve the [2.78] currently offered in favour of the bigger price that will emerge in the event of an early strike. Equally, if the trend holds up then you will be able to make a swift profit backing overs before kick-off and trading out as soon as the first goal is scored.
The Magpies don't score late goals
The most famous match of Alan Pardew's Newcastle tenure to date has to be their comeback from 4-0 down at the break at home to Arsenal, however second-half goals have been a rarity on their travels, with only two to show for his ten league outings in charge and the latest of those coming in the 52nd minute. So if Shola Ameobi and co haven't netted by that time, consider piling in on the Blues clean sheet.
Click here for a pre-match punt, or to suss out how the markets are shaping up...
Published: 13 May 2011
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