Newcastle vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League | Gunners risk falling behind in the title race

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Both Newcastle and Arsenal need wins for differing reasons here, as the two sides meet at St. James' Park on Saturday.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 2nd November, 2024: UK – 12:30pm / US ET – 8:30am / US PT – 5:30am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – nbc.com

NEWCASTLE PREVIEW: FALTERING LEAGUE FORM

It's now five Premier League games without a win for Newcastle after their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last Sunday, with Eddie Howe's side clearly struggling to find their best form in the early part of the season.

They, did, however, gain a measure of revenge on Chelsea with a 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The Magpies will now face Brentford in the quarter-finals of that competition in December.

ARSENAL PREVIEW: MUST-WIN?

Despite going ahead twice, Arsenal had to settle for a point at home to title challengers Liverpool last Sunday, and with Man City winning their fixture, they are now five points off the pace heading into the weekend.

Like their opponents here though, the Gunners also progressed in the cup on Wednesday with a comfortable 0-3 win away at Championship outfit Preston. Mikel Arteta's men have subsequently been rewarded with a quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace.

NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS: GORDON & ISAK CARRYING KNOCKS

Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak both played in the cup on Wednesday but Howe has stated that both are carrying knocks at the moment, so he may play it cautious with them.

Jacob Murphy has a slight hamstring issue that could prevent his participation, while Howe will consider other changes with this being their third game in a week,

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Barnes

UNAVAILABLE: Botman (Injured), Lascelles (Injured), Trippier (Injured), Wilson (Fitness)

QUESTIONABLE: Targett (Illness), J. Murphy (Injured), Gordon (Injured), Isak (Injured)

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: SALIBA BACK & GABRIEL COULD MAKE IT

William Saliba is a welcome returnee from suspension, and should Gabriel recover from the knee injury he sustained against Liverpool, Arteta will be able to field his preferred centre-back partnership.

There are other defensive concerns though as Ben White has emerged as a big doubt to feature, while Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu will definitely miss out.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Merino, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

UNAVAILABLE: Calafiori (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Tierney (Injured), Odegaard (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Gabriel (Injured), White (Injured)

NEWCASTLE VS ARSENAL PREDICTION

After picking up just a point from their last two league games, Arsenal risk falling behind leaders Man City in what could amount to an unassailable lead unless they string a few wins together. Fortunately for them, they face a Newcastle side who simply aren't firing right now, with the Magpies failing to win any of their last five games in the division.

With that in mind, a fired-up Arsenal side look capable of earning the three points here.

NEWCASTLE VS ARSENAL TIP: ARSENAL TO WIN