Newcastle United vs Arsenal

Arsenal’s bid to secure a first Premier League top-four finish since 2015/16 continues at St James Park as they meet Newcastle United in the final game of Matchday 37.

Despite an abysmal 14-game winless start to this Premier League campaign (D7, L7), Newcastle’s renaissance in the second half of the season has made them genuine contenders for a top-half finish. After winning 50% of their subsequent 22 league games (W11, D3, L8), the ‘Magpies’ head into the penultimate round of fixtures trailing 10th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion by five points. Eddie Howe’s men have lost their last two Premier League outings to title-battling Manchester City and Liverpool 6-0 on aggregate, yet St James’ Park has been a fortress. Before slipping to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in their most recent home league match, Newcastle had won six successive Premier League clashes on Tyneside, netting ten goals while conceding just three in return.

Newcastle’s imperious home league form should not intimidate top-four bidders Arsenal, who are in desperate need of points after surrendering the fourth place to Tottenham Hotspur, courtesy of an underwhelming 3-0 defeat in the midweek North London derby. The ‘Gunners’ will reclaim the last Champions League qualifying spot if they extend their impressive three-game winning Premier League streak at St James’ Park. Adding to Arsenal’s confidence, they have racked up a staggering 17 victories in their last 18 top-flight H2Hs (L1). But Mikel Arteta’s men have blown hot and cold on the road lately, winning two of their five previous Premier League away matches while losing the other three. If Arsenal are to establish some consistency outside the Emirates Stadium, they would be strongly advised to fly out of the traps. Arteta’s lads have lost all six away league fixtures in which they conceded first this term.