It may be a by-product of the madness that grips us around Christmas time but we are going to tip Newcastle to beat Chelsea in their Carling Cup tie at St James Park. Yes, take your time and read that sentence slowly but we mean it.

Traditionally, this tournament is notoriously difficult to assess because of the way the bigger clubs treat it which is the key to our thinking.

Chelsea have just been reinstated as Premiership favourites after their 3-2 victory at Everton but we have to question what their attitude will be against the Toon and just what starting eleven will be handed a blue shirt.

England skipper John Terry will still be out with his back problem - although didn't prevent him playing on the dodgems at a Fun Park at the weekend - while Ricardo Carvalho is carrying a knock and might be rested.

Jose Mourinho is bound to tinker with the rest of his line-up.

Against that, let us consider the form of the home side who have now won four on the bounce at home due, in part, to the rejuvenation of striker Obafemi Martins who has now scored five goals in his last four games.

Add to that Newcastle's realisation that the Carling Cup offers them that rarest of things - a genuine chance of grabbing some silverware.

So, there we have it. Two sides coming at this game from different perspectives which lead us to take Betterbet.com's generous 4/1 for the home win.