PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH DAY 30 PREVIEW: NEWCASTLE UNITED (7-2) v ARSENAL (4-6 – Fav); Draw: 9-4

NEWCASTLE (7th, 43pts: 10-13-7): The Magpies have enjoyed a solid run of form in a good season, and though not seriously challenging for any major honors, they are in with a solid chance of securing European football next season. They’ve strung together a good streak that has seen them only lose twice in their last 17games, although 6 of those were 1-1 draws. They’ve troubled my Arsenal side in our last 3 meetings – including a draw at St. James’s Park last season – although they’re yet to beat us. They have the advantage of 10days worth of rest as opposed to 3 for us, and don’t face competitive action for another week afterwards.

TEAM NEWS: Scott Parker (DM, bruised shin) is out for 3days to a week; Belozoglu Emre (M LC, dislocated shoulder) is out for another month.
Kieron Dyer (WB R, AM RC) and Andy O’Brien (AM L) are one booking away from suspension.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
MICHAEL OWEN (ST): Certainly a far cry from the player that terrified defenses with Liverpool, he is still a class act that instinctively knows his way to the back of the net. As the club’s leading scorer this season with 15goals under his belt, Newcastle knows that the way to goal will likely run through him. ALBERT LUQUE (AM L, ST) is not the most celebrated striker around, but he’s nabbed 9goals largely from midfield, and could be a very serious attacking outlet for the home side. AMDY FAYE (DM) is arguably their best player this season, and will be no less critical today against a very offensive outlet, and his job will be to slow them down and protect his backline – most notably the very impressive TITUS BRAMBLE (D C) and glovesman SHAY GIVEN (GK).

ARSENAL (1st, 69pts: 22-3-4): No rest for the weary, unfortunately, as we returned from Portugal only to fly north to Newcastle with only a 3-day window. No further complaints will be issued, though it is important to stress that a number of my players will thus be missing through exhaustion or just a need to rest them, from Gilberto to Thierry Henry to Ryan Smith. But we’ve got a good squad, and we’ve been solid on the road this term and we have to continue that, especially with Chelsea breathing down our necks as they entertain Portsmouth later this afternoon. We need to stick to our gameplan, though the worry is with not wearing out the likes of Fabregas before more Champions League action midweek. Our bench is going to be pretty thin, but I’m satisfied with our quality.

TEAM NEWS: Philippe Senderos (D LC, broken leg – thigh) is out; David Bentley (AM RLC, shin splints) is out for another 2weeks.
Mathieu Flamini (D R, DM), Billy Jones (D RLC, DM), Gaël Clichy (D/WB/M L), Emmanuel Eboué (D/WB R), Robin van Persie (AM LC, F C), and Joseph Yobo (D C, DM) are all one booking away from suspension.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
VINCENZO IAQUINTA (ST): He’s playing ever so well, coming off the bench to help set up our second and mop up defensively against Porto. All that’s missing is the goals, and they will come soon enough. FRANCESC FABREGAS (M RC) is our beating heart and will be dictating play, with ROBIN VAN PERSIE (AM LC, F C) serving as Iaquinta’s foil up front. JENS LEHMANN (GK) is pressing his case for a contract extension and could be critical, as could MATHIEU FLAMINI (D R, DM) in giving us a toehold in midfield.

ARSENAL LINEUP (4-4-2):
Jens Lehmann (GK)
Billy Jones (D RLC, DM), Touré (D RC), Campbell (D C), Cole (D RL, WB L)
Ljungberg (AM RL), Fabregas (M RC), Flamini (D R, DM), Clichy (D/WB/M L)
Iaquinta (ST), van Persie (AM LC, F C)

BENCH: Manuel Almunia (GK), Aliaksandr Hleb (AM C), Nicklas Bendtner (ST), Joseph Yobo (D C, DM), Valeri Bojinov (AM R, ST)

Gonzalo (SW, D C) just misses out, after his great performance for Argentina but the transcontinental trip makes me wary to risk him. Hleb will likely be replacing Fabregas as both are a wee bit short, and I expect two of Bendtner, Bojinov and/or Yobo to make a showing at some stage in proceedings.

NEWCASTLE FORM: DWLWW (ALL CONTESTS: WLWWW)

ARSENAL FORM: WLWWL (ALL CONTESTS: WWLWW)

LAST MEETING:
ARSL 2 N’CASTLE 0 (Oct 10, ’06)

LAST CORRESPONDING FIXTURE:
N’CASTLE 1 ARSL 1 (Apr 17, ’06)

~ by savageternal on April 12, 2009.