Michael Owen has predicted Newcastle United to avoid defeat when they host Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League season.
The Magpies host the Blues at St James’ Park and know a win will secure them a top-10 finish.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will be gunning for three points and know they can sneak into the top four if Liverpool lose at home to Brighton.
Owen has tipped his former side Newcastle to pick up at least a point at the weekend and bounce back from a run of four consecutive defeats.
“United have certainly blown hot and cold this season and their Wembley loss midweek means they have lost four league games in a row for a third time this season,” Owen wrote in his column for Bet Victor.
“Rafa Benitez and his players will be keen to give the Toon Army something to cheer on Sunday, however, and I think they will pick up at least a point against last year’s champions.”
OPINION
Newcastle have just gone off the boil after securing their Premier League status and should be keen to end their losing streak in the final fixture, but know they will face a Chelsea team who are in a must-win scenario. The Magpies found a purple patch of form to steer away from relegation trouble, but as Owen alludes to they have blown hot and cold. Manager Rafael Benitez has certainly been vital in the club’s successful season back in the Premier League and without him they could have been in big trouble. The club now need to seriously get behind Benitez in the summer transfer window and allow him to bring in a few marquee signings to really improve his squad. The likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles have proven to be key players for Newcastle this term, but they need more players in that top bracket to help out in the next campaign.
