To say that things have changed in the past couple of months would be an understatement. We’re not even going to try and speak about wars, viruses, vaccines, bombs and world leaders – well, at least we’ll try. The bottom line is that there is a football match at Stamford Bridge today – and that the clubs playing have been turned upside down.Chelsea, hit by UK Government restrictions and fearing for their future, host Newcastle United, a team boosted by the huge influx of cash from the Middle East. If you told this to fans of either club half a year ago, they wouldn’t have believed a word.Klopp agrees with UK’s decision to sanction ChelseaThere is an overwhelming sense of uncertainty at Chelsea Football Club. Their Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been banished from the club, sanctions have been enforced, sponsors are abandoning the club amid a worldwide hysteria about anything that has anything to do with Russia. Although the alledged goal is to make Abramovich and Russia suffer, it’s only the ordinary people who are affected – Chelsea employees and the Blues’ fans.Chelsea aren’t allowed to sell unsold tickets for forthcoming games, which would be one of the main ways of generating income. Sources close to the club say that Chelsea would quickly run out of money unless the Government revise their sanctions. Chelsea leaders have held urgent talks with the Government in the hope of easing the impact of the restrictions placed on the club. They still haven’t gotten a response.Newcastle have picked up more Premier League points than Chelsea in the last 10 games 👀 pic.twitter.com/5ASfSE9qq7— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 9, 2022 On the other hand, you’ve got Newcastle United. After years of under-investment, their fans are happy because the wealthiest investment fund from Saudi Arabia has taken control of their club and that they will be able to compete with the so-called Top Six. A fine run of six wins and a draw from their past seven games has eased their relegation fears in recent weeks. Although they are not completely safe yet, the Magpies can now try to record their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2012.Chelsea’s Reece James is expected to remain absent with the muscular issue that caused him to miss the win over Norwich. That’s a huge blow for the man who absolutely destroyed Newcastle when these two teams last met in the Premier League. Christian Pulisic missed that game with illness and captain Cesar Azpilicueta was withdrawn at half-time because of stomach problems.A big target for the big signing: Bruno Guimaraes wants Champions League football at St. James’ ParkNewcastle’s Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin are set to again miss out due to injury and illness respectively. Fabian Schar is a doubt after he went off on Thursday with a groin problem.Elsewhere around England, there will be matches sure to affect the relegation battle at the bottom of the league. Everton and Leeds are playing at home and are desperate to bag points in their clashes with Wolves and Norwich, respectively. PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 29SaturdayBrighton – Liverpool 0-2 (0-1)/Diaz 19, Salah 61 pen/Brentford – Burnley 2-0 (0-0)/Toney 85, 90+4/Man Utd – Tottenham 3-2 (2-1)/Cristiano Ronaldo 12, 38, 81 – Kane 35 pen, Maguire 72 og/Sunday17:00: (1.60) Leeds (4.00) Norwich (5.70)17:00: (2.35) Everton (3.15) Wolverhampton (3.50)17:00: (1.65) Southampton (3.80) Watford (6.25)17:00: (1.35) Chelsea (5.30) Newcastle (10.0)17:00: (2.30) West Ham (3.40) Aston Villa (3.35)19:30: (1.55) Arsenal (4.40) Leicester (6.50)Monday23:00: (9.50) Crystal Palace (5.50) Man.City (1.35)*** odds are subject to change***
