Newcastle vs Arsenal Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips: Back this 11/10 double on Saturday's battle

Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off comes from North London as Arsenal and Newcastle renew acquaintances after a controversial fixture last year. Matthew O’Regan has best bets at.

A Champions League group stage exit and a 7th-place finish in the Premier League last season mean that Newcastle are without European football once more this year—perhaps a good thing due to their lack of squad depth.

Still, Eddie Howe will be delighted with his side's performance midweek against Chelsea, which sets up a Carabao Cup quarter-final home tie against Brentford. But for now, the attention returns to the Premier League, with the Toon Army languishing in the bottom half in 12th position.

Newcastle have found goals hard to come by, with only Manchester United scoring fewer goals in the top 16 of the league. It is too early for panic stations just yet, as only Southampton (10 v 11 for 62 minutes), Bournemouth and Fulham have won the xG battle against Newcastle.

In terms of injuries, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett will miss out.

Arsenal have started strongly in their quest to win their first Premier League title since the invincible season as they sit third in the table. With Champions League football and a Carabao Cup run to contend with, Mikael Arteta has had to rotate his squad but has a few key injuries to contend with on Saturday. Gabriel, Martin Ødegaard and Riccardo Calafiori should all miss the game, weakening Arsenal’s usual resolute defence.

If the Gunners are to win the league, their away form will have to improve. They’ve picked up just seven points from their four away games. An away game at the lively ST James Park’ will be a stern test of Arsenal’s title credentials.

Eddie Howe has built a squad of tenacious hard workers as well as talented footballers. Two players who epitomise Howe’s and Newcastle’s x are Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.

Guimaraes, a combative midfielder, is now Newcastle’s captain after signing from Lyon in the 2021/2022 season. The Brazilian has played all bar eight minutes in the Premier League this season and averages 3.82 fouls won and 1.46 fouls committed per 90 for an average of 5.28 foul involvement per 90s.

Anthony Gordon missed the game against Chelsea in the league due to injury but was back in the starting lineup in the cup, winning one foul and committing two in 73 minutes.

This season, the 23-year-old is averaging 3.15 fouls won and 0.92 fouls committed per 90, for an average of 4.07 per 90.

We should see a competitive midfield battle on Saturday. If Thomas Partey is deployed at right back once more, we may see a midfield trio of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. The trio are averaging 2.78, 1.87 & 2.65 foul involvements per 90.

Thomas Partey also made two fouls and was fouled four times at right back against Liverpool, so an intriguing battle is in store between the Ghanaian and Gordon.

Guimaraes has had at least three foul involvements in all nine Premier League appearances, with Gordon falling one short against Brighton to prevent a full sweep.

Newcastle are the most fouled team in the league, with their opponents making an average of 12.89 fouls per game. They also attract 1.5 offsides per game, with Howe’s side having 14.39 free kicks per 90.

Arsenal have committed the fifth most fouls in the league, averaging 12.33 per game, as well as 1.33 offsides. The Gunners average 13.66 free kicks conceded per game.

In the games that John Brooks has officiated, there have been 23, 30 and 22 free kicks, so the 34-year-old is not shy of giving fouls. When the sides met in February, Arsenal made 15 fouls and three offsides, clearing this low free-kick line by a distance.

Newcastle vs Arsenal Lineups

The starting lineups for Newcastle vs Arsenal will be displayed in the graphic below once the team news has been announced.