Arsenal-Newcastle is a match for the 19th day of the Premier League and is played on Tuesday at 20:45: predictions
The assumptions for a positive year seemed to be all there, but not even in the most optimistic forecasts Arsenal and Newcastle could imagine to arrive at the halfway mark as first and third Premier League leaders respectively. It goes without saying that the most interesting match of this nineteenth day is staged at the Emirates Stadium between the two teams who, match after match, have gained awareness of their strengths and are now aiming to overturn the hierarchy.
The Gunners have not been fazed in the slightest by the World Cup break and their first two outings have ended with victories (West Ham and Brighton) which have contributed to increasing the gap between them and Manchester City, which has become more and more consistent after Haaland and his team-mates’ false step in the home match against Everton. Arsenal last took the field on Saturday, already knowing the Citizens’ result. And they were literally unleashed against Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, who only found the strength to react after finishing 3-0 down: at the Amex Stadium it ended 2-4. For the bookmakers, Pep Guardiola’s side remain favourites, but the Londoners’ impressive numbers cannot be overlooked. They are now seven points ahead of their main rivals and have won 14 of their 16 matches so far.
Arsenal are rampaging at home
Arsenal are taking no prisoners, especially at home where they have won seven out of seven games. Eddie Howe and his men are on notice
Pope, Newcastle goalkeeper
Newcastle will attempt to break this very long positive streak, boasting the best defence in the Premier League with 11 goals conceded. Actually, the Magpies aren’t joking either, who despite breaking their winning streak on Saturday against Leeds (0-0) have only lost once this season, in August at Anfield against Liverpool. The dream of returning to the Champions League after nearly 20 years is intact, as there is a four-point gap between them and fifth-placed Tottenham. The aim now is to dispel the Emirates taboo, where Newcastle come from 11 defeats in all competitions.
The Prediction
It’s hard to see a clear favourite in this match between what are the Premier League’s healthiest teams, undoubtedly the most improved from last season. Arsenal have always won at home and are slight favourites due to their spectacular play. But the feeling is that against this very solid Newcastle, a feat will be needed to bring home the three points. Leaving aside the result, we assume a hard-fought match, in which both should score at least one goal each.
Arsenal-Newcastle’s likely line-up
- ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah.
- NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
