Newcastle United vs Arsenal. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,210.
Sunday 15 April 2018 12:32, UK
Newcastle and Arsenal will both be looking to continue their positive recent runs when they meet on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The Magpies have won their last three Premier League games in a row to pull clear of the relegation zone while the Gunners have won six of their last seven in all competitions.
Rafael Benitez has admitted Newcastle have exceeded his expectations by climbing into 10th place in the Premier League with six games remaining - but despite their good form, he says his team must be classed as underdogs for the Super Sunday clash, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
He said: "The reality is that Arsenal are one of the top sides in English football. They are a massive team with very good players and a great manager with great experience, so they have a lot of things.
"That is why they have been in Europe for so many years. This year, people say, 'Oh, they are not in the Champions League', but they are in the semi-final of the Europa League, so that means something."
Aaron Ramsey will be hoping to be involved despite a deep cut on his leg which was stapled closed during Thursday's Europa League draw at CSKA Moscow.
Jack Wilshere took a kick to his ankle but also seems likely to feature.
Granit Xhaka may return after missing the game in Russia through illness, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes back into the fold having been cup-tied. David Ospina (ankle) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (knee) miss out.
Loan signing Islam Slimani will hope for a first start for Newcastle. The Leicester frontman belatedly made his debut for the Magpies as a late substitute against Huddersfield a fortnight ago, but was ineligible to play against his parent club last weekend and will be looking to force his way into Benitez's thoughts.
Newcastle otherwise have no fresh injury problems.
Newcastle have lost each of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal, since a 0-0 draw in August 2011. Only against Man City (12, 2009-2015) have they had a longer losing streak in top-flight history.
Arsenal's run of 10 wins in a row against the Magpies is their third best winning streak in top-flight history. Only against Man City (11, 1994-2004) and Middlesbrough (11, 1930-1935) have they had longer runs.
Newcastle earned 0.9 points-per-game in 2017 this season, compared to 1.73 in 2018 - the biggest positive differential between the years in the Premier League in 2017-18 (0.83).
Newcastle haven't won four straight Premier League games since a run of five in November 2014 under Alan Pardew.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in each of his last four Premier League games for Arsenal. The last player to score in five in a row for the Gunners was Olivier Giroud in April 2015 (6).
Newcastle have been alright recently. They will give you chances but they will have a go while Arsenal will have had a long trip to Russia on Thursday.
Arsenal have not been great but they have won games recently, so credit where it is due. After a load of hard fixtures they have had easy fixtures and they have put those teams to bed at home. You can't ask for much more. They have done well considering they were up against it.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
