Premier League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Newcastle

Published on: 30/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Newcastle

January 2, 2015 15:00pm - The Emirates Stadium

Premier League

Arsenal will be attempting to consolidate their place at the top of the Barclays Premier League table when they welcome bottom-three side Newcastle United to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Gunners back on top

Arsenal bounced back from their disappointing loss at Southampton with a comfortable win over AFC Bournemouth. With Leicester and Manchester City drawing on Tuesday night, the Gunners will go into the New Year as league leaders thanks to a superior goal difference over Claudio Ranieris team.

Arsene Wenger will be keen to maintain that advantage by overcoming a Newcastle side that is still stuck in Premier League basement. The North London side have not been beaten at home in eight Premier League games, having won six and drawn two since their opening day defeat to West Ham.

Geordies still ravaged by injuries

After beating Liverpool and Tottenham in back to back games earlier in the month, injury-hit Newcastle have now gone three games without a win and have lost their last two on the bounce. As a result, the Magpies have slipped back into the relegation zone and are two points adrift of safety.

Last time out, they were undone by a single goal away to West Bromwich Albion. It was their second 1-0 defeat in a row after losing at home to Everton just two days before.

Team news

The Gunners will continue without the services of Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Danny Welbeck.

Meanwhile, Vurnon Anita has joined Papiss Cisse, Mike Williamson, Massadio Haidara, Rolando Aarons, Tim Krul, Steven Taylor, Emannuel Riviere and Gabriel Obertan in the busy Newcastle treatment room.

Recent form (League)

Arsenal: WLWWW

Newcastle: LLDWW

Betting odds and tips

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight home matches (W6, D2) and have risen to the top of the league despite some major injury concerns. In contrast, a long list of injury issues has had a major impact on the northeast club who are struggling to haul themselves out of the drop zone.

There is little value to be had in backing the home win. Instead, back Arsenal to win by two goals or more at 11/17 with 10bet.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 30/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (30/12/2015 13:33:28) but are subject to change.