Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is expecting the two teams to share the spoils when Newcastle face Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson said that the Blues are beginning to find their groove under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, but he still feels that Newcastle’s excellent home form will help them secure a point:

“Chelsea’s team, at the moment, is starting to pick itself and it’s a good thing. Earlier, we used to sit around wondering how they were going to line up. But that’s changed now.”

“Despite all that, Newcastle at home are always up for any challenge and I see this game ending in a draw.”

Merson has gone with a 1-1 scoreline, which is a result that plenty of Magpies supporters would probably accept, considering the team’s current injury crisis.

Howe could have 4 players back in contention for the Chelsea game

Manager Eddie Howe is hoping to have the likes of Alexander Isak (hamstring), Miguel Almiron (thigh) and Fabian Schar (hamstring) available to start this weekend.

The Magpies will also be boosted by the return of Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazilian international having been suspended for the last match before the international break against Bournemouth after picking up five bookings.

St James’ Park remains a fortress for Newcastle

While Howe’s team have certainly not been as consistent as last season, their home form has continued to be one of their main strengths.

So far this campaign, the Magpies have won all but one of their six home fixtures. That defeat was against Liverpool, when two second-half goals from substitute Darwin Nunez sealed a shock 2-1 victory, despite the fact that the Reds had been down to ten men for more than an hour.

You can watch the documentary – Newcastle United: The Road Back To Europe on Shots! TV here