Premier League Team News and Prediction: Arsenal vs Leeds

While a mid-table clash between tenth and eleventh may not seem like a big game, the fact that it's Arsenal and Leeds involved will please one set of fans and distress the other. Indeed, for both teams this could be a pivotal match in the season whereby one clings on to a feint hope of a late push for European football and the other is left in footballing limbo, playing out the rest of the campaign for a top half finish at best.

In truth a draw would probably end any lingering hopes of a top six finish for either side, but given their nature neither would play for such a result anyway. In fact, if Leeds' away fixtures thus far are anything to go by, we should be in for a real end-to-end affair.

When is kick off?
Sunday 14th February, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Emirates Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

Form Guide

After a seven-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, Arsenal's hopes of a European finish were dealt massive blows by back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa. While the Gunners could feel hard done by given the circumstances of the former, having been dominant before a giving away a penalty and receiving two red cards, they struggled to forge clear cut chances against a Villa side who had their share.

Leeds, by contrast, bounced back from defeat against Everton to earn a comfortable victory over Palace, making that three wins from their last four to see the Whites leapfrog Arsenal in the table ahead of this game. Marcelo Bielsa's side have the chance to move four points clear of their hosts with a game in hand over Mikel Arteta's men, though Arsenal would replace Leeds in the top half with a win of their own.

Team News

The Gunners will once again be without Kieran Tierney, whose absence has been felt of late, but do welcome back Bernd Leno and David Luiz following suspensions. They will replace Mat Ryan and Gabriel respectively, but Thomas Partey is out once more having hobbled off at Villa Park in what is becoming a familiarly depressing sight early into his Gunners career.

Martin Odegaard awaits his first start, though it's more likely to be Dani Ceballos or Mohamed Elneny that comes in for the Ghanaian. Meanwhile, after an abject display at Villa, Nicolas Pepe may well lose his place to the returning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

As for Leeds, they will still be without the likes of summer signings Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Rodrigo, with the only fresh fitness concern coming in the form of Kalvin Phillips. The midfielder was forced off late on last weekend and is a doubt for the trip to the capital.

Probable Lineups

Arsenal (4231): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Cedric; Ceballos, Xhaka; Saka, Smith-Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette

Leeds (4141): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Strujik, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Dallas, Harrison; Bamford

Key Battle: Bukayo Saka vs Raphinha

The only Arsenal player with a WhoScored rating in excess of seven (7.04), Saka has been the real bright light for the Gunners this season, particularly since switching from the left to the right flank. The teenager leads the team in shots (45), key passes (26) and dribbles (29), with five goals and two assists to his name thus far. The issue for Arsenal is their worrying reliance on a 19-year-old...

If Saka has shone all season for Arsenal, Raphinha has been more of a slow burner, eased into action at the start of the campaign following a move late in the window from Rennes. Since earning Bielsa's trust, however, the Brazilian has been increasingly influential for the Whites and sparkled in the win over Palace last time out. He has eight direct goal contributions to his name (4 goals and 4 assists) and now outperforms Saka in terms of shots, key passes and dribbles per 90 this season.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Leeds