Arsenal v Newcastle Tip 1

Arsenal are arguably the form team in the country at the moment and you would expect that momentum to see them comfortably past a Newcastle side who aren’t quite firing on all cylinders.

With a home victory likely to be either routine or resounding, I’m going to recommend splitting your stake for this clash. Half a point goes on the Gunners to win by two goals at 7/2 (SkyBet), with the other half point on the win by three or more goals (3/1) with the same firm. That way, any Arsenal win by more than 1 goal guarantees us a healthy profit.

Wenger’s side have been on the rampage lately. They put seven past Blackburn a few weeks ago, but now high quality opposition is repeatedly being put to the sword. Arsenal put five past Tottenham, a 2-1 victory at Anfield followed, then AC Milan were hammered 3-0 in the second leg of their Champions League clash at the Emirates.

That last effort was ultimately in vain, but hopes of being back in that competition in 2012-13 look high again. Van Persie remains in irresistible form and with Lukas Podolski set to sign in the summer, there is something surprisingly close to a feel-good factor around the club again. With Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey also both set to return on Monday, the Gunners should be flying.

Newcastle are having a great season but their recent form is uninspiring at best. Shola Ameobi rescued a derby-day point last week, but the preceding 2-2 draw against Wolves, also at home, was disappointing. The 5-0 defeat to Spurs in the last away game was pretty dire and the trip to the capital before that wasn’t much better - a 5-2 loss to Fulham.

Arsenal will fancy their chances of making it a third bad trip to London in a row for the Magpies.