Newcastle will come out on top when they welcome Arsenal to St James' Park on Sunday.
That is the bold verdict of former Magpies coach Mark Lawrenson who believes Arsenal prioritising the Europa League will have a negative impact over how they approach their trip to Newcastle.
The Gunners head to Tyneside less than 72 hours after Thursday evening's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Mikel Arteta's side welcome the Spanish side to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday and with the Gunners languishing in 10th place in the Premier League it represents their best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
As a result, Lawro feels in-form Newcastle can capitalise on the Gunners taking their eyes of the ball domestically, predicting the Magpies to emerge as 2-1 winners.
"Arsenal's priority has to be the Europa League now, because it is the only way they are getting into Europe next season," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
"The Gunners are extremely inconsistent at the best of times and I just have a feeling Newcastle will come out on top here.
"Part of that is down to the Magpies' form - they have won two and drawn two of their past four games - but they also have their big guns back in attack and they have made a big difference."
