Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal will travel to Elland Road when they meet Leeds.
Leeds
Starting with the hosts, while Leeds might have found themselves at the heart of a public crisis on either side of November’s international break, Daniel Farke’s men have come roaring back in a rugged fashion. Despite suffering late frustration away at Everton earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate on Merseyside, the former Norwich boss has seen his resurgent squad skyrocket themselves away from the drop zone. Last seen at Elland Road snatching a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Fulham, Leeds have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 29th. It should also be highlighted, Farke’s side have registered 11 points from their last five Premier League showdowns in Yorkshire.
Team News
Both dealing with respective hamstring injuries, Leeds will once again be without the duo of Jake Bijol and one-time Manchester United star Daniel James. However, making a first Premier League appearance since the end of November away at Everton on Monday, Sean Longstaff should get some more minutes under his belt.
Notching nine Premier League strike in what has been his maiden campaign at Elland Road, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead Leeds’ charge. Making three consecutive starts across all competitions, Wales International Karl Darlow should keep his spot between the sticks.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, eventually falling to a remarkable 3-2 loss at home against bitter historic rivals Manchester United last weekend, Arsenal missed out on the opportunity to widen their buffer at the top of the Premier League table. Travelling to Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon holding just a four-point buffer over the chasing pack, Mikel Arteta’s men have registered just two points from their previous three top-flight showdowns. However, romping their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket and signing off their 100% group stage record with an action-packed 3-2 win against European debutants Kairat Almaty, Arsenal will be excited by a dominant record against Saturday’s hosts. Landing a thumping 5-0 victory when they welcomed Leeds to north London for their reverse Premier League meeting on August 23rd, the Gunners have won all of their last seven straight meetings by an aggregate score of 22-5.
Arsenal Team News
While the duo of Mikel Merino and Declan Rice might have served respective one-match European suspensions in midweek, both will return to Arteta’s squad here. Likewise, all handed Champions League rests on Wednesday night, the likes of Bukayo Saka, David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba should be handed full recalls.
Notching a fourth Champions League strike in midweek, big-money summer recruit Viktor Gyokeres will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line. Likewise, getting on the scoresheet against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday, former Chelsea ace Kai Havertz could make a first Premier League appearance since way back on August 17th.
Leeds vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- When Leeds and Arsenal met for their reverse Premier League battle on August 23rd, the Gunners stormed their way to a dominant 5-0 victory in north London.
- Arsenal have won each of their previous seven meetings against Leeds by an aggregate score of 22-5.
- Leeds have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 29th.
- The Gunners have registered just two points from their previous three Premier League appearances.
- Arsenal have notched at least a trio of goals in four of their previous five showdowns away from the Emirates across all competitions.
Conclusion
Only registering a pair of points from their previous three Premier League appearances, Arsenal travel to Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon with plenty of pressure on their shoulders. However, despite Leeds’ stellar resurge, Arteta’s side will be excited by a dominant record against the Lilywhites. Cruising their way to an emetic 5-0 romp when they welcomed Saturday’s hosts to north London for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 23rd, they have won all of their previous seven straight meetings across all fronts by an aggregate score of 22-5.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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