Arsenal take on Newcastle in the premier league on Sunday in an important contest for both sides.
Two of the top three teams in the Premier League will go at loggerheads in the penultimate matchday of the 2024-25 Premier League season as Arsenal hosts Newcastle United on Sunday, May 18, at the Emirates Stadium to fight for the UEFA Champions League spots.
In the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park, Eddie Howe’s men trumped the visitors courtesy of a goal by Alexander Isak as the Magpies preserved their clean sheet on the evening. The two teams also met in the League Cup semi-final, and Newcastle won both legs with Anthony Gordon scoring in both legs helping his side record an aggregate score of 4-0 over the two legs.
Learn more about the odds, team news, picks, and predictions for the thrilling English Premier League Matchday 37 clash between Arsenal and Newcastle United:
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Preview
The Gunners have lost their last home match of the league season only once in the last 27 seasons, and Mikel Arteta would be hoping to maintain that exemplary record against their bogey team from this season.
Arsenal
Arsenal had a memorable campaign as they reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final after a gap of 16 years and also pushed Liverpool in the title race, but ended up granting the Reds an easy pathway to the title with a few matches remaining. While Arsenal seemed to be in the clear when it came to the Champions League spots battle, only one win in their last five matches has dragged the Gunners back into the mix, with only 5 points separating Arteta’s men and sixth-placed Aston Villa.
Newcastle United
On the other hand, Newcastle United has had a season full of strong statements as Howe’s men ended their trophy drought and now sit above Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa as the four teams below them scramble for Champions League spots. After missing out on European football, the Magpies have pleased the Toon Army and now only have Arsenal and Everton to overcome in the last two rounds of the league season.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Prediction
Newcastle has already defeated Arsenal thrice in the ongoing season, and Howe’s men could become the first team to defeat the Gunners four times in a single season if they are able to defeat Arteta’s side in their own backyard.
Our Final Prediction: A 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome from the battle of two of the top sides in England, but a draw would only benefit the teams chasing Arsenal and Newcastle, as Manchester City have relatively easier opponents in Bournemouth and Fulham for the last two rounds.
Arsenal preview: Finishing with a flourish
In what is their final home game of the campaign, Arsenal come into this one sitting five points clear of sixth placed Aston Villa with six points to play for. The Gunners have taken their eye off the ball in the Premier League in order to focus on the UEFA Champions League.
They did fight back from 2-0 down at Anfield against champions Liverpool to earn themselves a 2-2 draw last weekend but that result does now mean that Mikel Arteta’s side have managed just three victories in their last ten matches across all competitions.
Newcastle preview: Magnificent Magpies
Newcastle United have a really good opportunity to finish as high as runners’ up in the Premier League for the first time this century to go with their EFL Cup that they win in mid-March, ending their long trophy drought.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies have been magnificent since mid-December and they come into this one on the back of a crucial 2-0 defeat of Chelsea at St James’ Park last weekend thanks to an early goal from Sandro Tonali and a late goal from Bruno Guimaraes.
