Manchester United vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Arsenal travel up north to take on rivals Manchester United in what is a huge game in terms of the title race but also in the race for European football.

Date: 12/05/24

Kick-off time: 16:30

Venue: Old Trafford

Heading into this game, Arsenal occupy top place in the Premier League table with two fixtures left to play. However, Man City in second have played a game less, meaning the Gunners’ fate is out of their hands. Victory against United is imperative, as any dropped points would officially allow Pep Guardiola’s side to clinch the title in their next game. However, Arsenal should be confident in recording another win, having won four in a row.

Man United are fighting to stay alive in the race for European football, with either the Europa League or Conference League possible outcomes. They are currently eighth, following Chelsea’s victory last weekend, and they trail the Blues on goal difference, which was worsened further with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in their last game. Any more dropped points would allow the Londoners to cement their place ahead of them.

Mikel Arteta’s team have the best defence in the league, and have been showcasing those strengths in recent games with three clean sheets in their last four. Overall, they have conceded just 28, five less than the next best. United have struggled in front of goal all season, their 52 goals amongst the worst in the top half. If they are to pose a threat, it will most likely come from Bruno Fernandes, who leads the club with 10 goals. Four have come in the last three league games. Arsenal are as good in attack as they are at the back, and have a number of forward options the defence will have to contain. Bukayo Saka has 16, whilst Kai Havertz has entered some great form, bringing his tally to 12 on the season. Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard have also combined for 19.

The last 10 meetings between these two sides have been in the Premier League, with Arsenal dominating. The Gunners have won six of these games, losing just twice in this period. This includes two wins in a row, and they will be hopeful of making it a third this weekend. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended 3-1 to Arsenal, though it was a much closer game than the final scoreline suggests. Marcus Rashford put his side in front, but Martin Odegaard immediately equalised. The game seemed to be heading for a draw, but there was late drama as Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus netted deep into second half stoppage time to steal all three points.

Manchester United

Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane could all return this weekend which would be a huge boost for the backline. Marcus Rashford has been absent in recent games but he could also make a comeback. However, Harry Maguire picked up an injury in training and could miss out.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has a fully fit squad to choose from following the recent return of Jurrien Timber, who had been missing for the majority of the season with a serious knee injury.

Manchester United

In their last four games, Manchester United have won one and drawn three. It has been a rough stretch for United, though they remain in a strong position to finish in the top six. This run started with dropped points, as they drew 2-2 away at Bournemouth. The hosts were the much superior side in terms of shot creation and production, attempting 20 to their opponents’ eight, however United edged the possession. The Cherries went ahead early through Dominic Solanke, but this was cancelled out by Bruno Fernandes just past the half hour mark. The lead was regained before half-time thanks to a Justin Kluivert strike, but the points were shared as Fernandes grabbed his second from the penalty spot, after the referee awarded a controversial penalty.

Focus shifted to the FA Cup, as they booked their place in the final following a penalty shootout win after a 3-3 draw after extra-time. However, United had blown a three-goal lead which led to spot kicks, including a 95th minute equaliser from Haji Wright. They returned to Premier League action with a 4-2 win against bottom side Sheffield United, though the game was a lot closer than the final scoreline suggests. The Blades went ahead twice, but were pegged back by Harry Maguire and Fernandes. With 10 minutes to go, the Portuguese scored once more to put the hosts ahead, before Rasmus Hojlund added an insurance goal.

A disappointing result followed as they drew 1-1 at home to struggling Burnley. It was a fairly even game throughout, and Antony thought he scored the winner with 11 minutes remaining. The Clarets refused to lie down and were able to level it from the spot in the final few minutes. Last time out they were defeated 4-0 at Selhurst Park by Crystal Palace. Michael Olise scored a brace, whilst Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were also on the scoresheet.

Arsenal

In their last five games, Arsenal have won four and lost one. The Gunners have got back on track in this stretch, though were eliminated from the Champions League. This is where the run started, with a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich which saw them crash out at the quarter-final stage 3-2 on aggregate. Joshua Kimmich was the winning goalscorer with half an hour to go as he executed a powerful header past goalkeeper David Raya.

They returned to Premier League action with a 2-0 win at Wolves. The possession was fairly even, but Arsenal dominated in shot attempts. Leandro Trossard put the Gunners ahead on 45 minutes, and this is how it remained until deep into stoppage time when Martin Odegaard added a second. They then hosted Chelsea and thrashed them 5-0. They got off to a quick start with a goal from Trossard, before Ben White and Kai Havertz both scored braces in the second half. They continued their strong form with another big win at Tottenham. It was the perfect start, as they took a 3-0 lead into half-time, with an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and strikes from Bukayo Saka and Havertz. Spurs attempted a comeback in the second half, but left it too late as they could only pull it back to 3-2.

Their most recent game was a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Bournemouth. Despite their dominance, the opener did not come until the stroke of half-time, and it was a Saka penalty which put them in front. The visitors offered more of a fight after the break, but goals from Trossard and Declan Rice secured the win.

These two rivals face off with both in desperate need of a win. However, we expect high-flying Arsenal to get the victory against an inconsistent United side. It will be close, though the Gunners should edge it – Man United 1-2 Arsenal

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Man United vs Arsenal will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League.

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