Arsenal vs Manchester United: Preview, Odds and Betting Tips

Two of the traditional heavyweights in English football will lock horns for three important points at the Emirates. With the title race already locked between Manchester City and Liverpool, the top-four race promises to go down the wire and this result could well determine how that plays out in the long-run.

Form Guide: Arsenal

After seven wins from their last nine games, things have quickly gone sour for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side. At some point, the Gunners seemed the likely favourites to clinch a top-four spot but consecutive 3-0 and 2-1 defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton respectively has quickly dashed those hopes.

As it stands, Arsenal will need an element of fortune in seeing their rivals drop points, if they are to stand a chance of top-four.

On paper, many expected Arsenal to at least gain points from Crystal Palace and Brighton but reverse was the case. A side that looked so fluid and sharp in attack have now failed to catch the eye. It gets worse that key players continue to suffer injuries at a time where maximum points are crucial.

Arsenal need to return to winning ways quickly and another loss here could gradually see their top-four hopes blow out in the cold.

Form Guide: Manchester United

If Arsenal are struggling for form at the moment, Manchester United have it even worse. The Red Devils find themselves in seventh place and face the risk of going even lower if they drop further points.

United have claimed only one solitary win from their last seven games. The disappointing highlight of their woes was their 1-0 loss to relegation-struggling Everton side at Goodison Park.

The Old Trafford outfit have struggled at both ends of the pitch but their defense is a major course of concern. United have conceded in every single one of their last five games across all competitions. Their last clean sheet came against a struggling Watford back in February.

Another loss could see them bid goodbye to their top-four aspirations and even to European football if results don’t go their way.

How the match could go

Both teams will likely come into the game thinking they can have a go at the other. In recent years, this fixture has served for one of the most anticipated games in a league season but it is only a top-four decider at the moment.

There could be goals in this one as both teams have struggled with poor defences in recent time. More so, the reverse fixture at Old Trafford ended in a 3-2 victory for the Red Devils and there could be another high-scoring game.

An early goal could lead the theme and there is a strong possibility whoever bags the first goal could go on to win the game. However it maybe, the attack of both teams will have it all to do and the most effective frontline should come out on top.

Betting Predictions

Both teams to score

Arsenal have been decent at home this term and their eagerness to get back to winning ways will see them play on the front foot. However, the Gunners still look shaky in defence and Manchester United will surely capitalize on that as well. The reverse fixture saw both teams score at least two goals and there is no reason why this should be any different. Current odds for this to play out stand at 1.66

Over 2.5 Goals

A good number of goals is on the cards simply because an end-to-end game will most likely be the order of the day. The Red Devils are conceding goals for fun of late and Arsenal remain unstable themselves. With both sides looking vulnerable at the back, we could be set for a handful of goals. A decent value of 1.79 odds is being offered by bookies for this to happen.

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Arsenal to win

This is a rather tough call to make, given the inconsistency of both sides at the moment. However, the Gunners have looked the better side in recent weeks and they could be fired back to their best against a direct top-four opposition. After backing both sides to breach each other’s next at least once, Arsenal have a strong chance of coming out on top after the full time whistle. There is value to go with this, with odds of 2.24 on the cards for this to happen.

Editor's Note: All odds are current at time of writing.

Writer - Dex Easthaven