Arsenal and Leeds, who both claimed 1-0 wins in the opening gameweek, draw swords at the Emirates in the Premier League’s Saturday evening showing, which can be viewed live at 5.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
The Gunners edged out Man United at Old Trafford thanks to a howler from keeper Altay Bayindir, while Leeds left it late after Lukas Nmecha converted a controversial penalty at home to Everton.
Read on for our predictions, information on form and team set-ups, and the key battles that could define Saturday.
Arsenal vs Leeds Prediction & Tips
Arsenal Leading at Half-Time @ 8/11 with BOYLE Sports
Arsenal struck early at Old Trafford with a 13th-minute opener and have now gone in ahead at the break in seven of their last 10 Premier League matches. They’ve also led at half-time in each of their last five league meetings with Leeds.
Arsenal To Win To Nil @ 6/5 with Betway
Arsenal might have lacked their usual attacking spark against Man Utd, but it was their trademark defensive solidity that secured the three points. They’re a tough nut to crack, conceding just 34 goals last season and 29 in 2023/24, while recording 28 wins to nil in the process.
Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka 2+ Shots on Target Each @ 16/5 with Betway
Both Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka had relatively quiet outings at Old Trafford, but they’ll be looking to make a far greater impact under the lights at the Emirates. With Arsenal expected to dominate and create plenty of chances, this duo should see no shortage of shooting opportunities.
Arsenal Form & Team Setup
Arsenal were by no means at their best on the opening weekend but they got the job done and cemented three points on the board, with David Raya making several good saves. They have now only lost one of their last 13 league matches stretching back to February, and are the red-hot favourites on Saturday.
While Arsenal were largely on the back foot against Man United with 38% possession and 9 shots to United’s 22, expect Mikel Arteta’s side to come out firing against Leeds.
Both Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi will surely keep their places in the starting-11, while Leandro Trossard will be eager to be included from the off, while Christian Norgaard could feature, but there will be no Kai Havertz after he picked up a knee injury. Meanwhile, the game will probably come too soon for the incoming Eberechi Eze.
Leeds Form & Team Setup
Leeds were fully deserving of their opening 1-0 victory over Everton, even if it came with a touch of controversy. They racked up 21 shots and an xG of 2.07, compared to Everton’s seven efforts and 0.55 xG.
They now face a much tougher test away to Arsenal – a side they’ve lost their last six meetings against and haven’t beaten in 22 years.
Daniel Farke, who picked up just his seventh Premier League win in 50 matches, will have Jaka Bijol back from suspension, but he will be without the injured Ethan Ampadu.
Head-to-Head Battles and What the Stats Reveal
The head-to-head numbers don’t make good reading for Leeds. They’ve lost six in a row to Arsenal – shipping 4+ goals in three of those (4-1, 4-1, 4-2) – and haven’t beaten the Gunners in 14 attempts, dating back to 2003.
Their last meeting ended in a 4-1 hammering at the Emirates, with Gabriel Jesus netting twice and Ben White and Granit Xhaka on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have each scored twice in their last four appearances against Leeds.
BTTS has landed in the last four head-to-heads, but Arsenal have won them all, and Leeds have only scored more than once once in the last 14 clashes.
Key Battles on the Pitch
Viktor Gyokeres vs Leeds Centre-Backs
Viktor Gyokeres will be eager to make a statement in front of the home fans at the Emirates after a quiet debut in Arsenal colours. Leeds’ centre-backs and holding midfielders will be tasked with cutting off the supply lines to the Swedish forward – a job Man Utd managed well last weekend.
Bukayo Saka vs Gabriel Gudmundsson
Saka also underwhelmed at Old Trafford but back on home turf the winger will prove to be a real handful for Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Ben White vs Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto was a constant spark against Everton, registering three shots and a game-high four tackles, showing both attacking intent and defensive work rate. Ben White will need to be switched on throughout.