Leeds vs Arsenal predictor: Thomas Partey blow for Gunners but Mikel Arteta’s side backed to edge out Marcelo Bielsa’s leaky side
With Leeds and Arsenal matching each other in the Jekyll and Hyde stakes this season, who dares call Sunday’s encounter at Elland Road?
As impressive as the Whites looked in romping past Aston Villa last month, they then turned in a dismal showing at Crystal Palace in their last outing before the international break.
Indeed, our Predictor is struggling to keep tabs on Marcelo Bielsa’s boys too, having not got their result right in any of the last five gameweeks.
Arsenal haven’t been much more predictable, only conforming to our engine’s expectations once in the last four gameweeks.
What does seem likely is that there’ll be a result in this one, given that across the 16 Premier League matches the teams have been involved in this campaign, just one has been a draw.
And here are some reasons why either side could come out on top...
Case for a Leeds win
The Gunners are built around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but he was held ‘hostage’ in Gambia airport during the international break, and has only scored once since the opening day. Doesn’t bode well does it?
Conversely and with seven goals and an assist to his name, Patrick Bamford is one of the top flight’s most in-form forwards.
Even Brighton and Newcastle have registered more league goals than Arsenal this term.
Arsenal have lost three of their last four Premier League games (W1), as many as in their previous 12 (W8 D1 L3). The Gunners have failed to score in each of those three defeats, and haven’t found the net from open play in their last six hours and 26 minutes of Premier League action.
Thomas Partey has also been ruled out due to injury he suffered in Arsenal’s last game against Villa, and that is a big blow for Mikel Arteta's side.
Case for an Arsenal win
Despite the Partey setback, this week’s Predictor has Arteta’s men to win by 25.6 points to 23.
Leeds have the joint-leakiest defence in the league, shipping 17 times so far, while they have won only one of their four home games this season.
The Whites are also winless in their last seven meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (D1 L6) since a 3-2 win at Highbury in May 2003.
Since a 0-1 loss in November 2000, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five away games against Leeds in all competitions (W4 D1), winning the last four in a row by an aggregate score of 15-4.
Who’s convinced you then?
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