Mauricio Pochettino can win his tactical battle with Eddie Howe (Picture: Getty Images)
Chelsea and Newcastle both desperately need an elixir to lift spirits despite weekend wins and victory at Stamford Bridge in their Carabao Cup quarter-final showdown would be the perfect tonic.
Both sides enjoyed Premier League success on Saturday with the Blues beating Sheffield United thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
Meanwhile, the Magpies defeated Fulham 3-0 with Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn all on target against the Cottagers, who were reduced to ten men in the 22nd minute when Raul Jimenez was sent off.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues have enjoyed home advantage throughout the Carabao Cup this season, beating Wimbledon, Brighton and Blackburn, and they have scored at least twice in four of their last five matches at the Bridge.
Newcastle needed those three points against Fulham after being kicked out of Europe following their 2-1 defeat at home to AC Milan last Wednesday which left them bottom of their Champions League group.
It’s been a tough season for the Tyneside club, with the demands of winning both domestically and against continental opposition weighing heavily on a squad which has been decimated by injuries.
Cole Palmer’s move to Stamford Bridge has been a big success (Picture: Getty Images)
But they have excelled in the Carabao Cup having eliminated both Manchester clubs on the way to the last eight and last year’s beaten finalists will fancy their chances of another trip to Wembley in February.
However, Newcastle are without a win in their last four away matches – losing three of those outings – and although it wasn’t long ago that they beat Chelsea 4-1 on home soil it could be different this time round.
The King’s Road club, who have won this competition five times and been runners-up on another four occasions, are 5/6 with Bet Victor, Sporting Index and SpreadEx to reach the semi-finals once again.
Palmer has scored eight times since his summer move from Manchester City, in what is increasingly looking like a bargain £42.5million deal, and he is 7/1 with Paddy Power to open the scoring and 5/2 with the same firm and Betfair to hit the net at any time.
A 2-1 Chelsea victory is 15/2 with bet365 and BoyleSports among others.
• Everton are going from strength to strength in the Premier League since having ten points deducted and can make it five wins on the trot by beating Fulham at Goodison Park to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The Toffees are 21/20 with Betfred while Middlesbrough are 17/20 with Coral to win at Port Vale and reach the last four.
• Michael van Gerwen is 17/20 with Unibet, BetMGM and BetUK to beat Keane Barry in straight sets in their clash at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
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