Newcastle V Arsenal Preview

Newcastle vs Arsenal

Saturday March 21 2009, St James' Park

Kickoff: 17:30

Newcastle

Newcastle United drew 1-1 at Hull in their last league outing, their fourth consecutive match without a win.

In their last five, Newcastle have won one, drawn two and lost two, picking up five points from a potential 15. Newcastle are precariously placed, sitting just two places above the relegation zone, equal on points with 17th placed Portsmouth and 18th placed Stoke.

Newcastle will be without Joey Barton (metatarsal), Tamas Kadar (broken leg), Ignacio Gonzalez (ankle), and Andy Carroll (ankle/foot), but Habib Beye (knee), Danny Guthrie (hamstring), and Xisco (toe) are all nearing recovery.

Arsenal

Arsenal beat Blackburn 4-0 at home in their last league outing, their second straight win and 15th straight match without a loss.

In their last five, Arsenal have won two and drawn three, picking up nine points from 15 available. The win last week saw the Gunners go into fourth place for the first time this season. They trail second placed Chelsea and third placed Liverpool by nine points, and are equal on points with fifth placed Aston Villa.

Arsenal will be without the perennially injured Tomas Rosicky, whilst Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo, and Cesc Fabregas are all still doubts.

Prediction

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, and last season's Newcastle-Arsenal fixture saw the two sides draw 1-1 again.

This match looks likely to prove a different story, however, with Arsenal finding their winning ways once again and Newcastle struggling with relegation.

Home advantage will do little to help Newcastle, with the Toon having only won four at home this season. Arsenal have won more than that on the road, picking up six wins on their travels to claim the sixth best away record in the league.

With Arsene Wenger's side finding the back of the net seven times in their last two league fixtures, and Newcastle only scoring twice in four games, the Gunners look set to put their recent run of five straight draws firmly behind them, as they go into this match as favourites for victory.

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