Betdistrict.com
Home side Arsenal will square off against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, in the first Premier League matchday of 2016.
After losing 4-0 to Southampton on Boxing day, Arsenal recovered well to defeat Bournemouth 2-0 before the New Year – posing a convincing performance, as the 2-0 scoreline did not do them justice. Benefiting from Leicester’s draw with Manchester City, the Gunners climbed up to the top spot in the table and they will surely want to retain it after this round. A win would be absolutely crucial, as the Gunners face some really difficult tests in the next rounds.
Newcastle is on the back of 2 consecutive losses, which dropped them to the red zone in the Premier League standings, on the 18th place. The two defeats came at the hands of Everton and West Brom, both 0-1 and the lack of goals is a concern, because Newcastle has the 2nd worst defense in the league – so they need to score in order to get something from games. The visitors are having massive injury problems so avoiding relegation will be a tough task.
Bet now on Arsenal vs. Newcastle with the best Premier League odds at 1xbet.com.
Team news & lineups:
Both sides are handicapped by injuries, though Newcastle is actually in a worse state than Arsenal. Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Arteta, Welbeck and Coquelin are out for Arsenal, but none of them are new injuries. Flamini is a doubt. Newcastle won’t be able to count on Haidara, Krul, Obertan, Papiss Cisse, Riviere, Williamson, Taylor, Good, Aarons and Lascelles, while Elliot and Anita are questionable – especially Anita.
Arsenal: Cech – Bellerin, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Monreal – Chambers, Ramsey – Campbell, Ozil, Walcott – Giroud
Newcastle: Darlow – Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett – Sissoko, Tiote, Colback, Wijnaldum – Perez, Mitrovic
This is a huge match for Arsenal and the players surely know it. Failing to win could have a massive impact on their season, as they will lose the first place and suffer a morale blow before a stretch of 3 really difficult matches.
The Gunners have been playing really well this season and are in very good form, winning 5 of the last 6 matches in all competitions. That 0-4 loss to Southampton on Boxing day was obviously an accident. Newcastle is struggling and I can see their leaky defense being punished by a motivated Arsenal side. I don’t think the hosts will blow this opportunity to retain the first place.
There’s also the fact that Arsenal owns a fantastic H2H record against Newcastle. Arsenal won the last 7 meetings between the two teams, so clearly Newcastle has a matchup problem here. In the last three matches played at Emirates, Arsenal won 3-0, 4-1 and 7-3. I can’t think of too many reasons for a potential upset to happen here, so my tip is Arsenal to win and cover the 1,5 goal handicap. Prediction: Arsenal – Newcastle 3-0.
Pick: Arsenal -1,5
Odds: 1.81 @ 1xBet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 7.29
Event date: 2 January
