200% up to ₹15,000 + ₹700 Free Bet
CLAIM NOW3
0
Arsenal and Newcastle face each other for second time within a week with Gunners looking for another win
Arsenal to win 2-1
Tournament: Premier League 2020-2021 | Venue: London, Emirates Stadium
Bet NowArsenal were pegged back by Crystal Palace in midweek, after a rather dull 0-0 draw.
This ended their fine run of winning form, which had seen them take maximum points from games against Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom in the league, followed by a win against this weekend’s opponents Newcastle in the FA Cup.
The Gunners have shown a great deal more quality over the past few weeks than they did a couple of months ago, where they went seven league matches without victory – an incredible amount of time for Arsenal FC.
Nevertheless, they’ll be pleased about their recent form, and their chances of three points here.
Newcastle are a club close to disarray, with boring, negative performances on the field and the continuation of dissatisfaction from their supporters at how the club is being run behind the scenes.
On the pitch, they’ve slumped to four defeats from their last six and need a huge improvement here.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in five in best form of the season
Great record against Newcastle, winning 14 of past 15 meetings
Reasons to be fearful:
Still struggling to score, with no goals in seven league matches this season
Arsenal remain in the bottom half despite good run of form
Arsenal will be confident of nailing on another three points to their Premier League tally this weekend, though it may still not be enough to see them rise into the top half of the table.
Such was their awful run of form up until a month or so ago, they have struggled to make up ground on the teams in the top half of the table, despite taking 10 points from the last 12 available.
Should they continue this form, they will undoubtedly close the gap on those above them, but it must hurt their confidence to see them perform much better and yet remain in 11th position.
In this match, The Gunners should welcome back Kieran Tierney and potentially Martinelli up front.
Star Man – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Scored against Newcastle in the cup last weekend, and has scored in each of his last three appearances against them.
Form Guide (all comps): LDLLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Took Arsenal to extra time in the FA Cup last weekend
Allan Saint-Maximin could be fit to play a role
Reasons to be fearful:
Winless in eight matches since 12th December
Poor goal record with one in previous six fixtures
Newcastle are in 15th place in the table going into this round of fixtures, though the situation could be far worse if the teams below them were able to pick up points regularly.
As it is, the likes of Brighton and Burnley are just doing enough to stay out of the relegation zone, but not enough to overtake Newcastle as it stands.
This week, manager Steve Bruce promised a response from his players after another disappointing week which included losing to bottom table Sheffield United. They will need it against Arsenal, a team who they have only beaten once in 15 attempts.
The potential return of Saint-Maximin to the side could help their attacking play, which is in need of a boost after scoring just once in nearly nine hours of football.
Star Man – Andy Carroll
May or may not start this one, but he proved a nuisance all game in last week’s FA Cup match, and went close to scoring at the end of the match.
Arsenal are favourites but will have to work for it
Newcastle are likely to sit back and defend deep
Both sides to score
Both sides played in midweek, so will be as fit as each other, although Newcastle have had two days extra preparation time.
Arsenal needed extra time to beat Newcastle last week, so this game is likely to be tight. We are expecting to see a response from Bruce’s side but whether it’ll be enough to take points off Arsenal is another thing.
Arsenal to win 2-1
10CRIC
200% up to ₹15,000 + ₹700 Free Bet