Patience may be key as Arsenal prepare to break down Rafa's Magpies.
Arsenal have been outstanding at The Emirates this season, and I expect them to continue their strong run of form against an improving Newcastle side on Monday.
Though Arsenal have won nine in-a-row at home, Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle side rarely make themselves easy to beat, and this ties in with my first tip of the evening: the score to be 0-0 at half-time.
Newcastle have gone into the break goalless 12 times this season – making this their favourite half-time scoreline by some distance – while Arsenal have been drawing 0-0 at half-time in five of their home matches this season.
Games involving the Magpies often aren’t pretty, and Rafa will happily go and stink The Emirates out, making this a tempting little bet.
Just 40% of Newcastle’s away games have seen over 2.5 goals this season, while the number is just 44% for Arsenal at The Emirates.
With this in mind, I’m backing Arsenal to win and under 2.5 goals to be scored.
Considering the statistics, and The Gunners’ home record, 16/5 is a very tasty price for a low-key but functional home win.
My final tip is for the angriest man in football – Matt Ritchie – to be carded at any time.
The Newcastle wide man has seen yellow eight times this season, and is a tasty 17/5 to be shown yet another card.
Considering he’s always in a state of furious distress, he’s generally one to consider in this market.
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