In their opening contest of 2023, Premier League leaders Arsenal will play host to Newcastle United.
Last time out, the Gunners defeated Brighton 4-2 and went into the new year seven points ahead of Manchester City. A team with such a lead has never before lost the championship!
They are competing with a Newcastle team that has its own high goals. The frustrating 0-0 draw with Leeds at the weekend put an end to the Magpies’ winning streak as they pursue Champions League qualification.
Team news for Arsenal includes Takehiro Tomiyasu, who made a comeback from an injury against Brighton, will be expected to keep his spot on the bench for this game despite the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson.
Emile Smith Rowe is angling for a spot on the first team in other places.
He has resumed training, but since he hasn’t played since early September, it won’t be necessary to push him into a competitive game right away.
In Newcastle, the most important choice Howe must make is at the attacking front. Chris Wood made his debut against Leeds, but Callum Wilson was healthy enough to play 30 minutes and might start in such a crucial game.
Similar to how Joelinton would be forced back into midfield, Allan Saint-Maximin could retake his position on the left wing. Due to various injuries, Paul Dummett, Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Targett, and Alexander Isak are all still out of commission.
So each side has to make do with what they got!
1×2 Betting Odds
It’s hard to predict this one!
Arsenal is on fire and scoring goals like they’re going out of style, but they haven’t always been strong defensively, and that will give Newcastle plenty of confidence that they can find a way through!
It wouldn’t be shocking if either team won, so perhaps a draw could be on the cards here!
The odds that Arsenal continue their pursuit of winning the league, stands @ 1.86.
Newcastle can take inspiration from Brighton’s performance against the Gunners from the last gameweek. But the market has them marked as the underdogs with odds @ 4.75.
The possibility of a draw and points shared, stands @ 4.05.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.93.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.07.
This is a clash at the top, where both teams will be expected to score. And the fact that Arsenal have made it a trend of conceding goals at the Emirates, expect Newcastle to get themselves on the scoresheet!
But Arsenal are also the only team in the league to have a 100 percent home record!
Expect a few goals in this, but also expect Arsenal to be double digit clear at the end of it!
