Opta Big Match Stats: Hazard proving too hot to handle

Eden Hazard has assisted five goals in just two games

Christian Crowther thinks that the Opta stats point to an Eden Hazard-led Chelsea victory, with Newcastle also getting on the scoresheet...

Newcastle have only failed to score in two of their last 17 Premier League away games
Newcastle started the season just where they left off the last with a 2-1 win over intended positional rivals Tottenham on the opening weekend. The fixture computer has handed the Toon another tough assignment with a trip to current leaders Chelsea, however this was the scene of a famous 2-0 victory for Newcastle last season. Chelsea's expansive game lends itself to scoring though, as they showed against Reading, it does leave them vulnerable. Consequently, you would fancy Newcastle to register at Stamford Bridge.

No Premier League referee has given more penalties since the start of last season than Phil Dowd
As the indent suggests, no one is more trigger happy with his index finger around the box than Dowd. This points to (excuse the pun) the high possibility of a spot kick here given that Eden Hazard has already earned two for new club this season. The Belgian trickster is proving to be an absolute nightmare for opposition defences and has now won more penalties (eight) than any other player in his the top five European leagues since the beginning of last season.

Hazard has scored 11 goals and assisted 12 (23 goals involved in) in his last 16 league appearances for Lille and Chelsea combined
It seems like the reservoir of superlatives may already be running dry to describe the impact of Hazard's arrival in the Premier League. He is not just a constant goal threat himself but had a hand in both goals at Wigan and was involved in three out of the four against Reading. This fixture produced five goals over the two games last season and I expect it to be open again, with a Hazard-led attack coming out on top in another substantial scoreline.

Recommended Bets:
Back both teams to score @ 1.774/5
Back a penalty to be taken @ 2.8415/8
Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.727/4

Click here to read more stats about this encounter

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