BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has given his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League matches. He has Newcastle defeating Arsenal 2-1 at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
This is the reasoning behind his prediction:
Arsenal’s priority has to be the Europa League now because it is the only way they are getting into Europe next season.
The Gunners are extremely inconsistent at the best of times and I just have a feeling Newcastle will come out on top here.
Part of that is down to the Magpies’ form – they have won two and drawn two of their past four games – but they also have their big guns back in attack and they have made a big difference.
Arsenal are currently trailing Villareal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. As Lawro states, The Gunners are well out of the European places at the moment in 10th place so their focus could remain on Villareal.
Newcastle are on an encouraging run in which we’ve lost just once in the last 8 matches while being unbeaten in the last four. So the Magpies carry some momentum into the match on Sunday.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s return has been nothing short of season-saving. The Frenchman has again shown his value to this team since coming back from his groin injury. His presence makes Newcastle a much different proposition on the pitch.
Last weekend, Newcastle got another goal from ‘super-sub’ Joe Willock. The midfielder will not be available on Sunday as he’s on loan from Arsenal. However, Steve Bruce could bring Callum Wilson back into the starting eleven to partner with Saint-Maximin.
Wilson looked up for it in his cameo at Anfield over the weekend. He seems to have fully recovered from his hamstring problem as evidenced by those pacy runs against the Reds.
Dealing with a front two of Wilson and Saint-Maximin for 90 minutes would be a handful for any defense. Especially one whose focus may be on elsewhere this Sunday.
201 comments so far
Online Guy
Apr 30, 2021 at 12:55 AM
Comment #121NY
Im the Proud owner of Sir Bobby Robson’s Nothumbria Barbour Jacket.
Still got his name in it .
I wear it all the time on wet days fishing.
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:00 AM
Comment #122Bill,
Obviously, I’m not Scottish..but those tunes are kinda skin tingling with pride.
I can see why the sweaty’s would like it (no offense to any of our northern brethren out there).
And of course none of any such tunes has a patch on pomp and circumstance March no. 1
Should really be our national anthem
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:11 AM
Comment #123NY Mag
I’m half Scottish so the pipes are in the blood! 🙂
These are different and with a Yankee flavour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmDB485uFaI
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:11 AM
Comment #124OLG,
Yep, I used to know Ronnie when I was a kid.
The shop is still there in Langley park (although not owned by the Robson family for quite some time)
It’s been almost three years since I’ve been back ‘home’ and even then it was less than 24 hours.
The shop used to be the center of the village when Bobby was Ipswich manager, all the trophy’s Bobby won were displayed in the shop window, proper pride of the village back in those days.
Happy days, I miss it
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:12 AM
Comment #125I see you noticed we had a newcomer to the blog today, seems like a nice sort of bloke.
Might be a Cullercoats lad from the way he writes!
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:15 AM
Comment #126Bill,
Yeah, that’s really quite impressive.
The coordination is exceptional
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:17 AM
Comment #127It’s often forgotten that he successfully managed Ipswich for 13 years although not by them, he’s as much their hero and icon as he is ours.
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:18 AM
Comment #128@Essex Geordie bill
Sorry to bring that back, but didn’t the scottish side with the Mackems during english civil War?
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:18 AM
Comment #129Bill,
He seems like a canny lad….but if he disappears again there could be trouble 🙂
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:22 AM
Comment #130Niafron,
I don’t recall Mel Gibson wearing a red and white top 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:25 AM
Comment #131We haven’t had any of this for a while!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJPHu6hxD8
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:28 AM
Comment #132niafron
Without getting into a history lesson, there was both Scottish Royalists and Roundheads in the ECW.
As a former miniatures wargamer I had armies for both sides!
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:29 AM
Comment #133Bill,
I prefer the ‘drum’ ones you share
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:37 AM
Comment #134Ahah,
As a grue french, i know nothing of english History.
Juste Heard of… Boldon Hill battle?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:39 AM
Comment #135More Mongolian foot tapping rock!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJPHu6hxD8
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:42 AM
Comment #136Niafron,
I’m not a historian, I was just pulling your leg mate 🙂
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:44 AM
Comment #137Ok lads,
Need to Come back to that blog slowly, long Time i wasn’t here.
How do you see the future of the club, let s say in the next five Years?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:51 AM
Comment #138Niafron
That depends on whether the Toon antichrist still owns us.
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:55 AM
Comment #139All right…
So could the club change of owner in the Times to Come?
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:57 AM
Comment #140Niafron,
Five years is a long time, very much depends on who the owner is.
That has the single biggest baring on the future.
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 1:59 AM
Comment #141Niafron,
It’s possible…..but completely unknown at this point.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:04 AM
Comment #142I think you’ll find after a few weeks on the blog a club change of owner is the most desired outcome that all toon supporters are wishing for and once/if that happens the club will arise Phoenix like from the ashes of despair we have suffered for the last 14 years.
So in answer to your question, given the exit of the TAC, I see a dazzling next five years for the club.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:07 AM
Comment #143Niafron
In what context are you using the word Grue?
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:09 AM
Comment #144So it s like back to the future, cause last Time i was here, many people already wanted that to change.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:10 AM
Comment #145NY Mag
I’ll line up some Kodo type drumming for tomorrow night if you want?
Chewingtoon
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:10 AM
Comment #146Bill I don’t know if you meant me by the newcomer? Either way am here to stay. Been reading this for years now but never got involved in the chat. Always “caught up” so to speak with the comments and articles so not sure if I can fully commit to regular posts and ongoing blog! Lovely to be warmly welcomed though!
Oh and if you didn’t mean me then sorry for the random comment! What is a cullercoats lad by the way?! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:12 AM
Comment #147Niafron
There is certainly an element of stasis on the blog in that regard.
or to put it differently
Nowt has changed! 🙂
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:13 AM
Comment #148Bill,
Yeah, that would be good…really enjoyed the previous ones
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:16 AM
Comment #149Chewy
I was being a tad facetious over the reappearance of Robleenio, he currently is living in the seaside town of Cullercoats.
But welcome to the blog as well! 🙂
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:16 AM
Comment #150Chewingtoon,
I could be wrong…but my interpretation of bills comments.
He was referring to robleenio and his long term absence
Apologies if I’m off the mark, I really don’t think he was referring to you in any way
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:20 AM
Comment #151Great minds and all that!!!
Ditto on the explanation 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:21 AM
Comment #152I used to have an Aunty in Cullercoats and know it well.
Chewingtoon
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:21 AM
Comment #153Ah ok that’s cool no worries! Hope you didn’t think I was getting funny or anything!? I have no real idea of the geography of the north east!
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:23 AM
Comment #154NY Mag
Aah the great mystery ‘s of the thought waves through the ether.
Do you dream of Electric Sheep?
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:24 AM
Comment #155You Know sometime, you juste got to ne full of hope.
I remember 2011/12. Under Ashley…
And especially an away game against Villa…
We won that date and the first half… Was great, wE teared
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:26 AM
Comment #156Chewy
The only real geographical location you need to be aware of in the NE is plumb in the centre of Newcassell! 🙂
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:26 AM
Comment #157… them apart, and in the stadium, there was only the toon’s army to be Heard.
NY Mag
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:27 AM
Comment #158Bill,
Sheep with renewable energy panels? Or ones that give you a shock?
Or as Welshy would say, one’s with Wellies 🙂
Chewingtoon
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:29 AM
Comment #159And that’s the only bit ive been to 🙂
niafron
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:29 AM
Comment #160Wasn’t a particular reason for that to happen… Juste great club, great fans…
Was an energy in that, something breaking the bonds.