Sunday afternoon’s game at St. James’ Park sees seventh place Newcastle United host an Arsenal side looking to return to the top of the table.

Alan Pardew’s men go in to the game on the back of their fine 5-1 victory over Stoke City on Boxing Day – their seventh win in nine league games.

Only league leaders Manchester City boast a better record over that period than the Geordies, who could move into the top four with another three points here.

Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor remain Newcastle’s only absentees so Pardew could name an unchanged side.
Top scorer Loic Remy is widely available at 8.0 (7/1) to open the scoring, ahead of 10. (9/1) shot Papiss Cisse, who ended his goal drought last time out.

The home win is priced at 3.8 (14/5) with most firms, with Arsenal favourites at 2.1 (11/10) with Bet Victor. The draw is available at 3.6 (13/5) with Bet 365.

The visitors begin the day in second place after Manchester City leapfrogged them into pole position following their tenth straight home league win from ten this season.

Arsene Wenger’s side came from behind to beat West Ham United 3-1 on Boxing Day, and in doing so ended a run of four matches without victory.

Top scorer Aaron Ramsey will miss this game with a thigh injury, though Jack Wilshere is available after serving a two-match ban while Tomas Rosicky could be recalled having been rested midweek.

Olivier Giroud is favourite to get the first goal of the game at a price of 7.5 (13/2) with Bet Victor, who offer odds of 8.0 (7/1) for Theo Walcott, who has four goals in his last three outings.

The North London side won both fixtures between the sides last season, with Laurent Koscielny scoring the only goal of the game at St. James’ Park on the final day of last season.

However, it was their meeting at the Emirates Stadium exactly a year ago that is most memorable.

The sides shared out ten goals, with Arsenal bagging seven, in one of the highest scoring games in Premier League history and with both sides scoring freely at the moment; you may be tempted to back another goal fest.

Bet Victor offer 6.0 (5/1) that there will be at least five goals scored in the game.