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Newcastle have lost only once at home in the Premier League all season and a run of three consecutive wins looks likely to have secured a top-4 finish and Champions League football for the Magpies. They now host the best away team in the PL this season, Arsenal.
The Gunners finally returned to winning ways on Tuesday night and they are desperate to stay relevant in the title race. With all that in mind, below we bring you our preview of Sunday’s big match as well as our prediction for the Premier League Matchday 34.
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Newcastle vs Arsenal: Match Preview
Newcastle made it eight wins in nine matches last weekend by beating Southampton 3-1 at St James’ Park. The Magpies are very close to securing a top-4 finish this season thanks largely to their excellent home record (W10 D5 L1). However, the Toon Army now face a formidable foe in the form of Arsenal, who often enjoy their trips to St James’ Park with just two defeats in their last 15 trips to St James’ Park (W9 D4).
Also, the Gunners have kept clean sheets in 6 of the last 7 H2H clashes with the Magpies. In fact, Arsenal have kept 29 clean sheets vs Newcastle in the Premier League, no other team has kept more clean sheets against a specific opponent in the history of the Premier League.
Arsenal remain a point behind leaders Man City and have played one more game than their title rivals, but the Londoners will be feeling confident again after beating city-rivals Chelsea 3-1 on Tuesday night. Odegaard has found some impressive form lately and he is up to 14 PL goals for the season now. The Norwegian scored in three of the last four league games and each of these goals have been scored in the first half.
The last meeting between the two
The last meeting between these two sides was in early January where the game ended goalless. Both teams looked a bit tired in that match after the hectic festive period and the game was starved of many real scoring chances.
The Form Guide: Newcastle vs Arsenal
Newcastle
Newcastle’s run of 8 wins in 9 gives them great confidence. Only a few weeks ago they humiliated Tottenham 6-1 at home and the Magpies look determined to end their decade-long wait for European football.
The main reason why Newcastle have only lost one PL home game so far has been their solid defence. The hosts have conceded just 11 goals in 16 home matches at St James’ park this season..
Form guide: WWLWW
Arsenal
Arsenal are not giving up on the race for the title and they finally ended a four-game winless PL run (D3 L1) on Tuesday. A fast start saw the Gunners beat their London rivals Chelsea 3-1.
The Gunners also continue to have the best away record in the Premier League this season (W11 D3 L3) and have kept the most away clean sheets with 9 shutdowns on the road already.
Form guide: WLDDD
Team News for Wednesday’s clash between Newcastle and Arsenal
Newcastle
Newcastle have got used to playing without the explosive winger Saint-Maximin, which is just as well as he remains sidelined. Krafth and Sean Longstaff are also missing through injury. The absence of the latter makes Guimaraes an even more important figure in the middle of the park this weekend.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s back line remains under-strengthened with Saliba and Tomiyasu still sidelined through injury. As if this is not enough, another important defender Gabriel picked up an injury on Tuesday vs Chelsea. He’s hopeful to recover on time for the trip to the North East though. Elneny is also out injured but he doesn’t play much even when fit anyway.
Our Prediction: Arsenal to win and keep yet another clean sheet vs Newcastle
- We predict a 2-0 Arsenal win with Martin Odegaard breaking the deadlock in the first half.
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