
Arsenal host Newcastle United in the early Saturday evening kick-off, and it marks another critical juncture in their Premier League campaign. After holding a nine-point lead at the start of April, their cushion was wiped out after Manchester City’s 1-0 win away to Burnley saw them top the table for the first time since August.
The title race isn’t fully in Arsenal’s hands anymore. But Newcastle, whose season is fizzling out, won’t care one jot, and they will be happy to play the role of party pooper.
To spark excitement for this clash, Betfred, which is one of the UK’s most respected bookmakers, has lined up a juicy 20/1 bet builder for punters to sink their teeth into.
While Arsenal and City boast the same goal difference (+37), the goals have started to dry up for the Gunners in recent weeks. Across the past six matches in all competitions, Arsenal haven’t netted more than once which is disconcerting.
Intriguingly, Arsenal have won 10 league games this season by a single goal. However, Bukayo Saka is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury, and the Gunners are missing a key creative outlet. His influence can be measured by the fact that the North London outfit’s win ratio in the league this term without him drops from 73% to 45%, so that needs to be addressed.
Let’s not forget though that Newcastle have been in a torrid run of form, as Eddie Howe’s side haven’t tasted victory since the middle of March when they clinched a 1-0 win away to Chelsea. Nevertheless, meetings with Arsenal at the Emirates have generally been tight affairs. The Over 2.5 goals line has only been hit once in the past four contests, so the under segment is worth adding to your betting slip.
Although not necessarily an out-and-out striker, Arteta gave Kai Havertz the nod over Viktor Gyokeres for the City clash, indicating he has more belief in the German. It seemed to pay off in the first half, as Havertz helped with the high press, and he profited from a Gianluigi Donnarumma mishap to cancel out Rayan Cherki’s stunning opener at the Etihad.
Yes, Havertz spurned a couple of presentable opportunities late on, but he does give Arsenal a different dimension, and he holds the ball up well. With two goals in his past four outings in all competitions, Havertz has picked up some form.
As far as Newcastle is concerned, Havertz last netted against the Magpies in an emphatic 4-1 win at the Emirates back in February 2024. He will rekindle fond memories of that day, and he will be eager to add to his tally. Havertz to score at any time across the 90 minutes is a worthy inclusion.
Arsenal’s proficiency from set-pieces has been well-documented this season. Roughly 30% of their goals have arrived from dead-ball situations, and they have plenty of aerial threat in the box.
When they have struggled at times recently scoring from open play, Arsenal have few problems unpicking teams from corners. The previous two home league encounters with Newcastle saw them awarded nine corners or more, so round off your bet builder with Arsenal to earn eight or more corners across the 90 minutes.
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