Monday, February 29, 2016, 1.05am AEDT, Old Trafford, watch on Fox Sports
Table position
Manchester United: Fifth
Arsenal: Third
Season record
Manchester United: 11-8-7
Arsenal: 15-6-5
Last five match results
Manchester United: LDWLW
Arsenal: WWDLD
ARSENAL is now the outright $2.60 favourite to win the 2016 English Premier League title as it goes into this late season clash with Manchester United.
Though a mathematical possibility of winning it too, the Red Devils are a hefty $81 with CrownBet.com.au as they sit some 12 points adrift of table leader Leicester City.
This is a crucial clash for both sides at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils ($3) looking to at least sneak into the top four, although Manchester City has a six point break even there.
Depending on other results on the weekend, the Gunners ($2.42 with CrownBet.com.au) (Draw is $3.20 with the same bookie) could be top come Monday morning.
It’s the first time in the history of the Premier League that Arsenal has gone to Old Trafford as betting favourites.
Even when the Gunners were on a record 49 game unbeaten run in 2004, United were still favourites at Old Trafford and that one ended in a 2-0 win to the Red Devils.
But they have not won at Old Trafford since 2006 – 10 years ago.
Manager Arsene Wenger played down suggestions that his side, still two points away from Leicester City in third is the title favourite, but admitted he was excited about the prospect of taking on United.
“Man United is a big club and Old Trafford is a special place,” Wenger said.
“I believe for every club it remains a special fixture but for me favourites has no special meaning, it’s opinions.
“Results are down to performances and reality and that’s what we focus on.
“Favourites is just good for talk.”
United is in the midst of an injury crisis, with very few options up front after both star Wayne Rooney (knee) and young tyro Anthony Martial were injured, the latter hurting his hamstring in the warm up of a midweek game in the Europa League.
Add to that the absence of David de Gea, Bastain Schweinsteiger and Adnan Januzaj, among others, and you have serious excuses for the under fire manager Louis van Gaal.
With master coach Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings, it is a matter of time before van Gaal is shown the door at Old Trafford.
He will be hoping to go out with a bang against the old enemy.
The Gunners whacked United 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium late last year and while he hopes for a repeat dose, Wenger was pragmatic when asked about the situation at Old Trafford.
“I do not want to speak too much about Man United because we are more focused on us and preparing for an important game,” he said.
“Of course Van Gaal has my respect and my sympathy.
“What can you do?
“Not a lot but do your job and use your potential of resistance to stress and focus on your job.”
United’s injuries leave the door open for 18 year old Marcus Rashford to lead the line, after his stunning performance against Midtjylland gave him a double on his debut for the club in a 5-1 Europa League win.
The Gunners copped some Messi magic in the Champions League, with the Barcelona star netting twice in the 2-0 win.
In their last Premier League outings, Arsenal received a huge boost, former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck scoring with the last touch of the match to give the Gunners all three points against the top of the table Foxes, who were down a man, after Theo Walcott had earlier equalised.
United had no such luck, falling to Sunderland by the same scoreline, after a clearance off the line rebounded off goal keeper de Gea’s back and into his own net. That wrecked Martial’s stunning equaliser after Sunderland scored in just the third minute.
Two teams with differing fortunes, but plenty of history go head to head in what should be a cracker.
Possible teams
Manchester United: Sergio Romero, Guillermo Varela, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Marcus Rashford
Arsenal: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerín, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sánchez, Olivier Giroud
Predictions:
Match result: Arsenal to win ($2.42 with CrownBet.com.au)
Correct match score: Arsenal to win 2-1 ($10 with CrownBet.com.au)
Correct match goals: Over 2.5 goals ($2.30)
It’s is as if Manchester United has mailed in the season, while Arsenal appear rejuvenated for the stretch run with two straight wins putting them in prime position for a crack at the title. Once invincible at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have been anything but this season and they look like a nut that Arsenal could definitely crack in this one.
While this is not traditionally a high scoring fixture, both teams have looked frail down back in recent weeks and that’s why we think goals could be on the agenda. The $2.30 about the overs is too juicy to resist.
The Gunners conceded two goals against Barca midweek and another against Leicester, while United has only kept one clean sheet in its last four Premier League encounters.
Admittedly, the Red Devils could struggle to penetrate, given the depth of their attacking injury crisis, but Arsenal does tend to concede at Old Trafford, so we’re pencilling in at least one goal.
On the other end, the likes of Ozil, Sanchez and Giroud could run amok in attack, giving the United defence plenty to think about in this one.
The Gunners go in as favourites and, with a Premier League title at stake, should come away with all three points.
First goal scorer predictions
Manchester United
Juan Mata ($10 with CrownBet.com.au)
With Martial and Rooney out, United needs someone from the midfield to step up in attack. If young Ashford does not get a gig, then Depay probably leads the line, leaving Mata to do the creative work behind him. Mata is often criticised for his lack of desire to track back, but there is no such worry with his attacking play and he is a genuine chance to score goals every time he steps onto the park for United.
Memphis Depay ($8.60 with CrownBet.com.au)
The young Dutchman burst onto the scene for United, but he has become but a footnote thanks to the stunning efforts of Martial. But he may well get his chance to shine again, with, as we mentioned, a possibility that he starts as the striker against the Gunners. A goal here that helps the Red Devils defeat Arsenal would be a golden touch for the youngster and help him win the hearts of United fans.
Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez ($6.40 with CrownBet.com.au)
There is no doubt Arsenal supporters would want more from Sanchez. His season certainly has not reached the heights of his debut year, where he was scoring for fun. There is some criticism that he does not lift for the big games. This is an opportunity for him to deliver on the biggest stage and quell some of the murmurs from the critics. Keep safe on him, but it’s time he stands up and provides some goals for the Gunners.
Danny Welbeck ($6.40 with CrownBet.com.au)
The hero at Leicester City, could he do it again against his old club? Welbeck has been on the injury rack for many months, but came back with a bang against the Foxes, finishing off a gorgeous Ozil set piece to give Arsenal all three points and the belief that perhaps they can win the title. There is also something personal at stake here for Welbeck – he will want to prove a point against the club that gave him up.
