Sunday Premier League – Newcastle United – Arsenal Preview

April 15th 2018 13:30 – St. James’ Park

Recent Form (League):

Newcastle: DLWWW

Arsenal: LLWWW

Newcastle welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park on Sunday lunch time as both sides look to continue their impressive recent form.

Newcastle will look to extend a three-game winning streak, the first time they have achieved that in the Premier League since the November 2014, that has moved themselves into a mid-table position. Such has been the good form of Rafa Benitez’s team that despite some real relegation worries earlier in the campaign, they could secure Premier League football with a win over their London rivals with five games of the season still to play.

History does not favour the home side with the Gunners winning all of the last 10 encounters; however, the Magpie’s are in great form at home unbeaten in the last six which includes a victory over Manchester United.

Arsenal themselves are in a purple patch having won their last three Premier League games. However, all of those win came at home while their away form has been poor. They are on a four-match losing streak on their travels, their most recent being a 2-1 loss at Brighton in early March.

The Gunners must overcome any fatigue picked up from their midweek trip to Russia to face CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and won’t be relishing another journey long journey.

With a top four finish almost impossible and a tough Europa League draw against Spanish side Atletico Madrid to come, it is conceivable that Wenger will use his squad depth as he protects his star players from fatigue and injury in the search of European glory.

Rafael Benitez has an almost empty treatment room so can field his strongest possible side as they chase the Holy Grail of 40+ points needed to secure top flight football for next season.

For Arsene Wenger, Jack Wilshere had to be withdrawn against CSKA so will be assessed. Granit Xhaka continues to be monitored after not travelling with the squad to Moscow.

Mohamed Elneny has had his red card from last week overturned so is available again, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles continues to be assessed. David Ospina , Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Santi Cazorla are out.

Prediction:

Despite an awful run in this fixture, I expect Newcastle to buck the trend. The Magpies will come out in an attacking frame as they look to take advantage of a fatigued Arsenal.

A Newcastle win with less than 2.5 goals looks a good bet with Betfair.