MY ACCOUNT
– Newcastle have won eight of their last nine Premier League games
– Arsenal’s last ten Premier League games have all gone over 2.5 goals
– Recommended bet: Newcastle to win & over 2.5 goals
Arsenal go to Newcastle on Sunday with their title chances hanging by a thread after seeing Manchester City storm past them in the race for top spot.
The Gunners go into the weekend a point behind the Citizens, having played one game more than Pep Guardiola’s side, who have a chance to extend their advantage to four points should they beat Leeds on Saturday.
Therefore, only a win will do for the north Londoners at St James’ Park, but that could prove easier said than done against the third-placed Magpies.
Newcastle have lost just once at home all season, and the free-scoring Tynesiders are closing in on Champions League qualification after a run of three straight wins.
Team news
Allan Saint-Maximin could make a return for Newcastle after nearly a month on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Saint-Maximin is back in training, but Sean Longstaff has not been able to train due to a foot injury and faces a late fitness check.
Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are long-term absentees.
Gabriel faces a fitness check with the knock he picked up in Tuesday’s win over Chelsea.
William Saliba remains on the sidelines with a back injury, and he is joined by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny.
The stats
Newcastle have made St James’ Park a fortress this season, winning ten and losing just one of their 16 home league games. That run includes wins over fellow top-eight sides Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Newcastle’s latest home win was a 3-1 victory over Southampton, with the Magpies having now scored 13 goals across their last three games.
Callum Wilson has chipped in with several of those goals, scoring eight in seven appearances in April to take his tally for the season to 15.
Arsenal have not been short on goals of late either, scoring two or more in ten of their last 12 Premier League assignments.
But those goals have not always added up to wins recently, and the Gunners head to Tyneside having won one of their last five games.
Prediction
Arsenal’s top-four bid fell apart with a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle last season, and the return trip to St James’ Park spells trouble for their title ambitions.
In front of a raucous Toon Army, Newcastle have produced some excellent, intense performances, overwhelming the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.
Arsenal are arguably made of sterner stuff than those two sides and boast the best away record in the Premier League. However, if Gabriel joins William Saliba on the sidelines, and with Thomas Partey out of form, there is the potential for the Gunners’ defence to be badly exposed.
Only Aaron Ramsdale prevented Manchester City from running up the score in Arsenal’s last away game, and a Newcastle side that can transition from defence into attack at lightning speed will pose similar problems to the Citizens.
Arsenal have gone seven games without a clean sheet, and attack may prove the best form of defence for a Gunners team that will need to win the game to have a chance at snatching the title.
An end-to-end contest is expected, with Newcastle’s superior defensive skills likely to win them the day.
Back Newcastle to win and over 2.5 goals, available at 12/5 with LiveScore Bet.
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