There are a few tips three mouth -watering encounters; the North London derby, high-riding Newcastle facing Leicester City and Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna in the La Liga.
Arsenal's last outing might have ended in a goalless draw at Newcastle but they are still in top form. Before that they had just beaten Brighton 4-2 and Westham 3-1 to continue enjoying life on top of the Premier League table.
There are no visible signs yet of Arsenal’s title charge fading. But there is a league breather now as the drama of the FA Cup takes centre stage. Arsenal take their form to Kassam Stadium where Oxford United lie in wait.
For most of the big teams, cup competitions mean shuffling of line-ups to give game time to fringe players and that should be the case for the Gunners.
Players like Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Albert Sambi Lokonga will all be expected to feature today. Emile Smith Rowe is also recovering from a groin injury and this might be the best fixture to ease him back into action.
That is still a strong team and we expect them to progress to the next round.
Oxford’s last home game was a 1-0 loss to Exeter City and it unlikely they will recover from that by beating Arsenal tonight.
This should be a game with goals and pulsebet.com has Over 2.5 on Odd 1.37 for those who might not want to go with a straight win for Arsenal, which has Odd 1.21.
Bet on:
Arsenal win (Odd 1.21)
Over 2.5 (Odd 1.37)
Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao have been in good form so far this season and are seventh on the La Liga log having recorded seven wins, four draws and four defeats from 15 matches. They have 25 points and can go level on points with fourth placed Real Betis by getting victory over Osasuna Monday night.
Athletic have won their last two league games against Osasuna, including a 2-0 victory in the corresponding match during the 2021-22 campaign.
But Osasuna are not far off in the table. They are currently ninth and only two points behind their hosts and will fancy their chance of leapfrogging them with victory.
Athletic could be without both Inigo Martinez and Ander Capa with the pair doubtful due to muscular problems while Ander Herrera is available.
Head coach Valverde will be expected to make some changes to the side that played in the cup. Gorka Guruzeta, Dani Garcia, Inaki Williams, Oscar de Marcos and Unai Simon are all expected in the starting line-up.
Unai Garcia will be missing for Osasuna through suspension due to the yellow card that he picked up against Real Sociedad last time out in the league.
It will be a tough game but pick Athletic to edge it. Pulsebet.com has a straight Athletic win at Odd 1.75
Bet on:
Athletic Bilbao win (Odd 1.75)
Newcastle vs. Leicester City
The drama of the FA Cup did not spare Newcastle United as a 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday ended the Magpies’ journey in the third round. But away from that Newcastle are enjoying a remarkable first full season under Eddie Howe. They are ccurrently third in the Premier League table and look good enough to challenge for a Champions League slot.
They face a Leicester side that has been average at best. Newcastle, who dispatched Brendan Rodgers’ side 3-0 on Boxing Day, will be the first tough test for the Foxes.
A close win for Newcastle looks very likely. The Magpies have been struggling in front of goal the last three games but face a Leicester side that has lost all three Premier League games since returning to action after the World Cup.
Pulsebet have a Newcastle win at Odd 1.66 and I find that a good risk to take.
Bet on:
Newcastle win (Odd 1.66)
Total odd (Pulsebet.com 3.97)