Arsenal vs Newcastle: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This game is extremely tough to call, with both sides coming into this game in terrific form. The Gunners are unbeaten in their previous 13 games in all competitions and are unbeaten at the Emirates this season. Newcastle United are in excellent form themselves, having won their last six consecutive games in all competitions and also scoring first in five of their last six.

The Magpies have won their last three on the bounce away from home, recording two consecutive clean sheets against Manchester United and Ipswich Town. Arsenal will likely have the edge in this fixture, as Newcastle United have not won at the Emirates since 2010 – Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

Arsenal host Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, with both sides looking to put one foot into the final.

Date: 07/01/25

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Emirates Stadium

A draw last time out at Brighton put a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes, though attention is now all on the Carabao Cup as they look for their first major silverware since 2020 when they won the FA Cup. It has been a fairly straightforward path to the final four, with convincing wins over lower league opposition in Bolton and Preston preceding a close quarter-final tie at home to Crystal Palace. The Gunners were 3-2 winners, though fell behind early.

It has been a tougher route for Newcastle, who had to eliminate Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Brentford, with a third round tie against AFC Wimbledon sandwiched between. The Magpies are in excellent form, having won six games in a row, which has seen them climb to fifth in the Premier League table. They will be looking for a positive result to take home to St James’ Park for the second leg.

Both teams have strong defences, meaning it could be a tight low-scoring affair. As the visiting team, Newcastle will hope for it to play out this way. Arsenal have kept three clean sheets in their last eight games, but only conceded more than once in just one of these games. Alexander Isak is in red-hot form, now with 13 goals on the season. He will be the man the visitors look to in attack, alongside Anthony Gordon.

Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri has left the Arsenal forward depth looking a little thin, but the re-emergence of Gabriel Jesus has given Mikel Arteta’s side optimism. The Brazilian scored a hat-trick in the quarter-final tie against Palace, before bagging a brace against the same opposition the following weekend. The hosts will be coming up against a confident backline, however, who have kept four clean sheets in six, conceding just twice.

These two teams have met 11 times in all competitions since 2020. Arsenal have been the dominant side, winning seven of these games, and losing three with one draw. This includes a five-game winning streak at the beginning of this period, though Newcastle have enjoyed success in recent years, winning two of the last three fixtures. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended 1-0 in the favour of the Magpies at St James’ Park, with Isak scoring the early winner.

Arsenal vs Newcastle will be available to watch on ITV1, as well as Sky Sports Main Event & Football.

Arsenal

Kai Havertz has missed the last couple of games through illness but is hopeful of a return for this game. Jurrien Timber is available to return to the lineup after missing the weekend with a suspension. Ethan Nwaneri was substituted with a muscle injury last time out, so his availability is in doubt. Bukayo Saka remains out long-term.

Newcastle

Nick Pope and Emil Krafth are nearing returns but this game comes too soon. Sven Botman returned after a long injury layoff at the weekend, and pulled up with cramp in his return. It should not sideline him for any further games, but it would not be a surprise to see him on the bench in midweek. Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar will miss out through suspension.

Arsenal:

In their last five games, Arsenal have won four and drawn one. It has been an excellent period for the Gunners as they have gone unbeaten. The first game of this run was a midweek fixture, which saw them take on Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. They advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-2 win as a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick helped them overcome an early deficit.

The Gunners faced the same opponents the following weekend in the league, and it was a comprehensive 5-1 win on the road. Jesus continued his fine form with a brace, after Ismaila Sarr cancelled out an early opener. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice completed the scoring.

Arsenal then hosted Ipswich, and beat the relegation contenders 1-0. Havertz scored the winner after 23 minutes. They made a short trip to Brentford, where they won 3-1. The Gunners fell behind to a Bryan Mbeumo strike, but turned it around through Jesus, Mikel Merino and Martinelli. Last time out they faced Brighton on the road. The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw after Joao Pedro’s second half penalty cancelled out Ethen Nwaneri’s opener.

Newcastle:

In their last five games, Newcastle have been perfect, winning all five. It has been a dominant stretch for the Magpies as they battle for European football. This run started with a home game against Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Newcastle advanced to the semis with a 3-1 win. Sandro Tonali scored a brace before Fabian Schar added a third. Yoane Wissa netted a late consolation.

A trip to Ipswich followed. They were comprehensive 4-0 winners, as Isak scored a hat-trick in addition to another Murphy goal. An important fixture against Aston Villa was next. An impressive result saw them win 3-0 at home, with goals from Anthony Gordon, Isak, and Joelinton. Villa played most of the game with 10 men after Jhon Duran saw red after half an hour.

Last Monday, they travelled to Old Trafford, where they won 2-0, with first half goals coming from Isak and Joelinton. At the weekend they faced another away day at a big six side as they faced Tottenham. They were 2-1 winners, overturning an early deficit with goals from Gordon and Isak.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day