Arsenal often struggle at Stoke and Newcastle face Wigan. Can the Magpies take a big step forward today?
Football is never simple, which is why we often shy away from making predictions.
But here’s one, Newcastle will stake a big claim for third place today.
There is every chance we may be wrong, and feel free to tell us ‘Told you so’ at the foot of this article if we are, but this is why we believe it will happen.
Newcastle are in unstoppable form at present. Their resurgence has seen them climb to fourth place, with consecutive wins over West Brom, Liverpool, Swansea, Bolton and Stoke.
They currently sit on 62 points, with Arsenal on 65, with a game in hand.
If Newcastle win and Arsenal drop points, of which we predict both things will happen, the Geordies will seize the initiative.
They will go into the midweek game at Chelsea, knowing a result will lift them into third place.
Still a massive ask, but just having the opportunity to do so will give them a psychological boost.
Of course after Chelsea, Newcastle still have to play host to title chasing Manchester City, so finishing third is a long way off, they would be happy to finish fourth.
Fourth though is a dangerous position in light of Chelsea’s progress to the Champions League, Arsene Wenger has already said it is not a risk Arsenal intend to take.
Despite their determination, we can see them slipping up today, handing Newcastle the initiative, who we expect to beat Wigan. They have every chance of taking it back, with an easier run in beyond today, and three points in the bag are always better than a game in hand.
Stoke City have beaten Arsenal twice at the Britannia in the league since returning the the top flight, as well as knocking them out of the FA Cup. They beat them 3-1 last season, and will be well up for this one.
The Potteries club are unbeaten at home in fixtures against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham this season, with Newcastle the only top six club to get the better of them. So getting all three points will be a tough ask for Arsenal.
So this may be a false dawn for Newcastle, who may drop points against City and Chelsea, but on the face of it, it is all set up to be a positive day for them.
Do you think Arsenal will drop points against Stoke? Will they finish third or be overtaken by Newcastle?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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