English Premier
2026-01-31 - Leeds United vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 31st January 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Leeds United
Not for the first time in the last few weeks, Leeds United put together a really strong half of football, but were unable to score a second goal that may have led to the three points. Instead they were pegged back in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night and Leeds United had to settle for another Premier League point.
After seeing both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest win over the previous couple of days, it was important for Leeds United to earn a positive result at Everton on Monday Night Football. This leaves the team in 16th place in the Premier League table, while just pushing the gap to 18th placed West Ham United back out to 6 points. In the next four months, Leeds United are well aware that the home form is going to be key in the survival bid and the side have a 5-4-2 record at Elland Road.
Leeds United's system was tweaked by Daniel Farke and it has led to a run of 1 loss in 11 games in all competitions and even that came courtesy of the latest Premier League goal recorded at St James' Park earlier this month. They are unbeaten in 5 home League games and Leeds United have picked up 11 points from a possible 15 in that run.
Gabriel Gudmundsson and Daniel James are both hoping to play some part in this Premier League fixture.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has asked the fans to get on board the 'fun boat' with Arsenal chasing major honours over the next four months. Despite the home defeat to Manchester United, Arsenal remain in a strong position in the Premier League table, but there is going to be some pressure on the team to put the pressure on their main title rivals who are both due to play on Sunday.
Another Champions League win on Wednesday means Arsenal have become the first team to win all eight games in the new format of the Group Stage, while also booking a place in the Last 16. That will allow the manager and the players to focus on the Premier League where they have a 4 point lead over both Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Gunners have a 6-3-2 away record in the top flight this season, which is the best record to this stage of the campaign.
Arsenal have won 4 of the last 6 games in all competitions, but there have been some sloppy results in the Premier League that have prevented them from having a much stronger advantage at the top of the Division. They have won 6 of the last 7 away games in all competitions ahead of this tough trip to Yorkshire, but Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest in the last away League game played.
Wholesale changes were made to the starting eleven for a dead rubber Champions League game on Wednesday- that should mean key players are well rested ahead of another busy two weeks of action coming up.
Head to Head
Arsenal crushed Leeds United 5-0 at home earlier this season.
They have won on 6 of the last 7 visits to Elland Road, including a 0-1 win here in October 2022 when Leeds United were last in the top flight.
Prediction
The title cannot be won or lost this weekend, but this feels like an important game for Arsenal as they look to bounce back from the very disappointing home loss to Manchester United last Sunday.
Wins have been littered throughout January, but those have mainly been in Cup settings and Arsenal have only picked up 2 points from a possible 9 in the Premier League.
Consecutive goalless draws with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest followed by the defeat to Manchester United has meant Arsenal have been unable to put some real distance between themselves and both Manchester City and Aston Villa. Those two teams have not exactly been in top form either, but the setbacks have not been punished and it is important for Arsenal to not allow this gap to thin out even further.
A trip to Elland Road is going to be a real test and especially as Leeds United have put together a solid run of form.
The home fans make this a difficult atmosphere in which to perform and Daniel Farke's team have looked much better balanced over the last two months compared with earlier this season. Better composure in the final third may have turned a few more draws into wins, but Leeds United will certainly work hard and make things tough for the away team.
It is an important game for Leeds United too after both West Ham United and Nottingham Forest won last weekend, but there will be more expectation on the shoulders of the Arsenal players.
Playing first this weekend has to be a help for Arsenal, while they have managed to give key players a real rest during the week in the Champions League.
A lot has been made of the poor attacking returns in recent games from some of those key players, but Arsenal have been creating chances and would have won comfortably at Nottingham Forest on another day with the quality created.
You have to assume Mikel Arteta will not take too many risks with his team selection, even with a League Cup Semi Final Second Leg coming up. He surprisingly left out Bukayo Saka in the draw at the City Ground, but the likelihood is that the manager will play a stronger team from the outset and look to win the game before making changes.
Leeds United will challenge an Arsenal team that have looked a little more vulnerable at times, but better composure is expected from The Gunners and that may see them come away with an important win on a day where they need to score at least twice to secure the points.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Leeds United 1-2 Arsenal
