Football enthusiasts are set for a captivating Premier League showdown this Sunday as Newcastle United go head-to-toe with Arsenal at St James' Park. The highly anticipated clash, kicking off at 4:30 pm BST, will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and available to live stream via NOW. This fixture is a crucial one for Arsenal, who are aiming to close the gap on table-toppers Liverpool following their recent loss to Crystal Palace. Newcastle, on the other hand, enter the game with a resilient spirit, being unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches, though they have secured only one top-flight victory this season.

In terms of team news, Arsenal sees the return of Martin Odegaard to the squad, a significant boost for the Gunners. However, William Saliba has been moved to the bench, indicating potential tactical adjustments. Both teams are fresh from booking their spots in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup mid-week, having secured wins against lower league opponents.

Adding to the excitement, betting experts have crafted a 20/1 Bet Builder for the encounter, courtesy of Betfred. The selections include Gabriel Martinelli to score, Bruno Guimaraes to be carded, and Sandro Tonali to have 1+ shot on target. The reasoning for these picks highlights Martinelli's recent "supersub" heroics and goal-scoring form, Guimaraes' disciplinary record against Arsenal and recent booking against Wolves, and Tonali's tendency for long-range shots and increased attacking positions. Betfred is also offering new customers £50 in free sports bets upon placing a £10 bet on football. It is crucial for all participants to gamble responsibly, setting time and monetary limits, gambling only what they can afford to lose, never chasing losses, and avoiding gambling when upset or depressed. Resources like Gamcare, GambleAware, and the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) are available for support.

However, the journey for hundreds of Arsenal fans traveling to the North East has been marred by significant train chaos, threatening to strand them or cause them to miss the 4:30 pm kick-off. A series of delays and cancellations have plagued supporters, with one fan lamenting on X about being "cursed on trains" to Arsenal games after experiencing issues with both Avanti West Coast and LNER. An Arsenal reporter also faced a diverted train, requiring a change at Leeds, and noted that multiple return trains to London had already been cancelled. The disruptions were linked to a track problem in the Doncaster area, a common stop on the Kings Cross to Newcastle route. The situation led to rival fans playfully mocking the dilemma, while Arsenal fans expressed frustration over the "rubbish transport system."

This Premier League fixture is part of a broader Sunday of European football action, which also saw Aston Villa defeat Fulham 3-1 earlier in the day, marking Unai Emery's side's first Premier League win of the season. Further live coverage will include LaLiga's Barcelona taking on Real Sociedad, promising a full day of major sporting events across the continent.