Arsenal will be determined to return to winning ways when they welcome Newcastle United to north London on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw against West Ham United at London Stadium on Wednesday night – a third successive fixture in which Arsene Wenger’s men have failed to win - but Arsenal will start as strong favourites against the Magpies in this one.
Indeed, the hosts are as short as 1/4 (1.25) with Betfair Sportsbook to come out on top as before being beaten by Manchester United at the beginning of this month, Wenger’s side had gone 14 Premier League matches without defeat on their own patch, winning each of the last 12.
Jan Kruger
After being beaten in their opening two league games of the season, Newcastle seemed to have found their feet in their first season back in the top flight as Rafael Benitez’s men lost just one of seven Premier League matches between August and October.
Since then, though, the Magpies have suffered an alarming dip in form, for the team from Tyneside have collected just one point from their last eight league matches; it is, then, little surprise that Betfair Sportsbook offer 13/1 (14.0) that Benitez’s team come out on top against Arsenal, while the same firm go 5/1 (6.0) that the visitors pick up a point here.
Despite their troubles, Newcastle have scored in four of their last five matches away from St James’ Park and Betfair Sportsbook go even money (2.0) that there are goals at both ends in this game, while the same firm go 4/7 (1.57) that there are least three goals in this game.
Arsenal were 1-0 winners in both of the last two Premier League meetings between these teams and Betfair Sportsbook offer 7/1 (8.0) that the scoreline is repeated once again on this occasion, while the Gunners – 2-1 winners at St James’ Park in 2015 – can be backed at 11/4 (3.75) to win by a single goal margin for a fourth successive time against the Magpies.
Better value, though, could lie in backing the Gunners to chalk up a more convincing win as Wenger’s men have scored 15 goals in their last four home matches against Newcastle, while Arsenal have scored 13 goals without reply in their last three victories in home turf in all competitions.
Furthermore, five of Arsenal’s last six Premier League wins at Emirates Stadium has been by, at least, two clear goals and, so, Betfair Sportsbook’s 4/5 (1.80) quote for Wenger’s men to again win by two or more goals may well represent good value for punters ahead of Saturday’s match.
Arsenal (-1) at 4/5 (1.80) for a 2pt stake with Betfair 
