Newcastle United look to continue their strong league form against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
Victory would see Newcastle stay sixth in the table regardless of what happens elsewhere in earlier kick-offs on Saturday, whilst victory could put Arsenal top with Tottenham not in action until Monday evening.
Team News
Fabian Schar is a doubt for Newcastle after he missed their Carabao Cup win at Manchester United due to illness.
Matt Targett (hamstring) and Javier Manquillo (groin) are both ruled out, with Targett having suffered his injury during their midweek win.
Sven Botman (knee), Elliott Anderson (back), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Lewis Miley (illness), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Alexander Isak (groin) remain absent.
Arsenal will be without Emile Smith Rowe after he missed their Carabao Cup exit at West Ham in midweek with a knee injury.
Jurrien Timbers (knee), Thomas Partey (muscle) and Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Arsenal at St James’ Park in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 4 November, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won just one of their last ten league meetings against Arsenal (W1, D1, L8).
- Arsenal have won four of their last five trips to Newcastle (W4, L1).
- There hasn’t been a draw between Newcastle and Arsenal on Tyneside in their last 10 meetings, since a goalless draw in August 2011.
- Newcastle are yet to draw at home in all competitions this season (W6, L2).
- Arsenal have kept clean sheets in three of their four league matches on the road this season (W3, D1).
Prediction
With only one defeat in their last 11 matches in all competitions including a clinical win at Man Utd in midweek, Newcastle certainly are full of confidence especially after how they calmly dismantled United with brilliant finishing plus defended resiliently.
Arsenal on the other hand lacked much end product in their defeat at West Ham who were able to ruthlessly punish the Gunners’ sloppy defence, so I do expect them to mount a response with Dclan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli amongst those set to return.
St James’ Park though has been a tough place for visiting teams with Newcastle having lost just four home games since last season, but the Magpies can’t afford more injuries yet they should still have the quality to snatch something from what should be a close contest.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
Result: Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal