Newcastle vs Arsenal: EPL Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

A mouthwatering game awaits on Sunday afternoon as high-flying Newcastle United vs Arsenal, the title-chasers at St James' Park.

Match Details:

• Location: Newcastle, England
• Stadium: St James' Park
• Date: Sunday 7 May
• Kick-off Time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT
• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
• VAR: Michael Salisbury

Newcastle vs Arsenal: Match Preview

Newcastle United, who face Arsenal next, have brushed aside a slight dip in form earlier this year to cement their place as top four favourites.

Eight wins in their last nine Premier League games have certainly placed them as favourites to finish in the top four, and maybe they have the opening to pip Manchester United above them.

The Magpies come into this game after an impressive comeback victory against Southampton. Substitute Callum Wilson scored twice as Newcastle went into third on the table. Manchester United's midweek loss to Brighton & Hove Albion will allow the Magpies to try and extend the gap.

Their home form would also encourage Newcastle United to have a go at Arsenal. The Magpies have won each of their last four games at St. James' Park, including the 6-1 drubbing of Tottenham. They hope for a similar performance against the other north Londoners, but Eddie Howe expects tough competition.

Mikel Arteta will revisit this fixture from last season, which all but ended their hopes of finishing fourth. Arsenal lost 3-0 to the Magpies here last year, but it was also due to an injury-depleted squad. The Gunners were missing key personnel everywhere, including Thomas Partey and Ben White.

That said, this season has been exceptional for Arsenal, who still retain slim hopes of winning the Premier League. The four-game winless run before the midweek clash with Chelsea hurt their chances and allowed Manchester City to crawl back into taking the lead at the top.

Team News:

Newcastle United:

Eddie Howe may reward Callum Wilson with a starting role alongside Alexander Isak after his brace in the 3-1 win over Southampton last Sunday, potentially forcing Anthony Gordon down to the bench.

Sean Longstaff may be fit to enough for a place in the squad after a foot problem, with Allan Saint-Maximin also in the running to return to action. Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are the club's only confirmed absentees with calf and knee injuries respectively.

Arsenal:

Mikel Arteta hopes to have Gabriel Magalhaes available in central defence after he picked up various knocks in the midweek win over Chelsea. William Saliba is already ruled out with a back issue - Jakub Kiwior his likely deputy ahead of Rob Holding.

Thomas Partey was only a substitute in midweek and may return for Jorginho in central midfield, while Gabriel Martinelli could be recalled in place of Leandro Trossard on Arsenal's left wing.

Newcastle vs Arsenal: Head to Head

Arsenal have a good historical record against Newcastle United and have won 83 out of the 190 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Newcastle United's 69 victories.

Newcastle United won this fixture by a 2-0 margin last season and have not won three consecutive matches at home against Arsenal in the Premier League since 1996.

After a run of 18 matches with at least one goal against Newcastle United in the Premier League, Arsenal have failed to find the back of the net in their last two such matches against the Magpies.

Newcastle United held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture and have not avoided defeat in both league games against the Gunners in a single season since the 2010-11 season.

Arsenal have kept 29 clean sheets against Newcastle United in the Premier League - more than they have managed against any other team in the competition.

Predicted Line-ups:

Newcastle predicted lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Wilson

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale, White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

NEW vs ARS: Fantasy XI

Ramsdale, Trippier, Schar, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Guimaraes, Joelinton; Odegaard, Isak, Jesus, Martinelli