There may have been a revolution at Newcastle United but, unfortunately for Magpies fans, it hasn’t translated into results on the pitch. New owners have stepped in but, until January at least, they have the same players that have taken the club to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Could that elusive first Newcastle win of the season come in Saturday’s early kick off as the side travels down to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (12.30pm; TV: Live on BT Sport)? The bookmakers aren’t offering hope of an upset but the Gunners’ own form is patchy and there could be scope for some interesting odds. Read on for our full EPL match preview with betting tips.
AFC vs NUFC Match Betting Odds
Most top betting outlets are quoting 2/5 on the home win and that’s a fair reflection of the points gap between these two sides. The draw follows on at 15/4 while victory for the visitors is out at a best of 6/1.
Newcastle’s owners have been able to place a new manager in charge. Former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was isolating last week and has yet to take his place in the dugout but there were some positives to take from the 3-3 draw with Brentford.
A day later, Arsenal succumbed meekly to a rampant Liverpool side and the Gunners returned to north London on the back of a 4-0 thumping. Mikel Arteta’s team may be 14 points clear of their opponents but neither side is in particularly good shape right now and this could be closer than those match odds indicate.
Side Markets
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal’s leading scorer coming into this match and he’s favourite to find the net first at best industry odds of 16/5. Strike partner Alexandre Lacazette is next at 4/1 while Bukayo Saka could attract some interest at a best of 17/2.
Newcastle’s first representative in the first goalscorer market is Dwight Gayle who can be claimed at a general 9/1.
Saka could be the better option from behind the strikers but those who want a longer range option could consider the Magpies’ Jonjo Shelvey at a tempting top price of 28/1.
Moving on from individual bets, Both Teams to Score could be prohibitively short this week at a general 8/11. Neither side has exactly been prolific in front of goal and it could even be a time to bet ‘No’ on BTTS for best odds of 6/5.
In the Total Goals markets, a stake Over the 2.5 line will return a modest 4/7 but this could be a day to push to Over 3.5 for odds of 8/5.
That leaves us with our regular Correct Score suggestions and, if you agree with the bookmakers that Arsenal will enjoy a comfortable 90 minutes, a 3-1 home win is worth a look at 12/1. Alternatively, if you feel that this game has the scope to produce a high scoring draw, a 2-2 final outcome is available at a best of 19/1.
Our Preview’s Gunners vs Magpies Betting Tips Verdict
Based on form and results across the season, it is hard to argue with the match result betting. Newcastle are the only side without a win in the Premier League and an away trip to the fifth placed side isn’t the ideal setting for your first three points of the campaign.
Could the new manager ‘bounce’ have an effect? Eddie Howe wasn’t in the dugout for his first game in charge but the Magpies looked to be far more positive at home to Brentford where they scored three goals in a match for the first time this season.
They may be bottom of the table but some big-money signings in the January transfer window should take care of Newcastle’s relegation scrap. That won’t help the Magpies’ cause against The Gunners on Saturday but we should see a better performance from the men in black, and white.
The home win is the likely outcome but there are some good options if you don’t fancy the Gunners’ odds of 2/5 and are looking to go above the Even Money line. Expect to see more attacking intent from Newcastle which will make Both Teams to Score a likely pick. BTTS is another short odds option so this preview will start with Over 3.5 goals as one of the betting tips.
For an anytime goalscorer, we’ll come back to Bukayo Saka. The fact that he’s scored four goals in ten international matches for England in 2021 rather masks the fact that his scoring ratio for Arsenal is around one in ten.
That’s not an encouraging stat but, with their opponents pushing forward and leaving themselves open at the back, this is a perfect game for Saka, and others to get on the scoresheet.
Arsenal will be in for a challenge in this lunchtime kick off but they should take the points. As for betting tips options, the better value lies in the side markets here.
- Over 3.5 goals at best odds of 8/5 with BetVictor or Betfair.
- Bukayo Saka to score at any time at 11/4 with BetVictor or Paddy Power.
Matt Harris is a football & golf writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 