Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St. James’ Park in Saturday’s late Premier League kick off.
The Magpies enjoyed cup success in midweek, with a well deserved 3-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. That result came despite manager Eddie Howe making wholesale changes to his team.
The midweek EFL Cup action wasn’t as positive for the Gunners however, who fell to a surprising 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham at the London Stadium. Mikel Arteta will be hoping a return to league action will reinvigorate his side.
It’s set to be an entertaining fixture and here we’ll look at the game in more detail in the hopes we can provide you with some winning bets.
Send a message
With North London rivals, and current Premier League leaders, Tottenham not in action until Monday night against Chelsea, this is a great chance for Arsenal to take top spot. It won’t be easy, as St. James’ Park has now become one of the toughest places for any Premier League side to visit. However, a win would certainly send a message to the rest of the title chasing pack that the Gunners are serious contenders.
Newcastle have a message of their own that they’d like to send, too. The Magpies have had mixed fortunes in the league so far this campaign and it’s left many questioning whether their fantastic performances last season were a one-off. Despite those doubts, their home form remains strong and a win here would do wonders for their confidence going forward.
Hard to separate
Such is the difference that Eddie Howe has made at Newcastle that the bookies are finding it hard to separate these two in the betting, even though this fixture has historically been dominated by Arsenal. It’s also a testament to how the Magpies have turned things around after a dreadful start to their campaign.
A win here for the hosts would see them right back in contention for another top four finish this season, with lots of competition for those illustrious Champions League places. It would also derail Arsenal’s title challenge, with Manchester City fully expected to pick up three points at home to Bournemouth ahead of this one kicking off.
Focus on attack
Both defences have received plenty of plaudits in recent weeks, and rightly so, but this is a game that will be decided by the attacking talents of each side. Newcastle love to play up for their fans in that respect, having scored 13 goals in their five home games in the Premier League so far. Add in the fact that Arsenal have scored in every one of their away games in all competitions this campaign and it points to a game that will focus on attack. Neither side will want to lose though and it will be tight and tense which, after some goals, could end with the points shared.
Suggested bets
- BTTS – Match Result Draw
- Callum Wilson & Bakoyo Saka to Score
- 2-2 Correct Score
