Another step towards the league title for the Gunners?
An absolute highlight in the Premier League awaits on Sunday when Arsenal, the FA Cup record winners and current Premier League leaders, meet English record champions Manchester United, who are currently third in the table. The Red Devils inflicted the Gunners’ only defeat in league action in the first leg. It is therefore interesting to bet on Arsenal against Manchester United that the Londoners will now take revenge.
Arsenal are the absolute measure of all things at home. The Gunners are unbeaten in eleven Premier League home games (ten wins, one draw) and have picked up 31 of a possible 33 points in that period. What makes Arsenal’s prediction against Manchester United difficult, however, is the fact that the Red Devils have also lost just one of their last 20 competitive matches (16 wins, three draws).
The Gunners could very well maintain their lead in the table even with a draw. Accordingly, we expect the Londoners to go into the match with a focus on their own defence. Arsenal have yet to concede a goal in three competitive matches in the 2023 calendar year. Accordingly, we see a lot of value in betting on the leaders to win a point. The bet on the double chance 1X can be combined excellently with an under bet.
If, on the other hand, you have a direct bet on a home win for the North Londoners in mind, you should at least consider taking the risk of a draw or even an away win for the Red Devils off the ticket by using a free bet.
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
As 13-time national champions and 14-time FA Cup winners (record), Arsenal FC is one of the Premier League’s flagship teams. The Londoners also made it to the Champions League final in 2006, but fell short here as well as in the two Europa League finals reached this millennium (2000 and 2019).
Last season, the Gunners finished fifth in the Premier League, once again missing out on qualification for the top flight. However, the fact that those in charge held on to Mikel Arteta and let the Spaniard work in peace is paying off these days.
Unbeaten in eleven Premier League home games
Under the 40-year-old, Arsenal are currently enjoying a stellar season and sit top of the table after 18 league games. The north Londoners have picked up 47 of a possible 54 points so far, only suffering a 3-1 defeat away to today’s guests Manchester United.
At home, on the other hand, the Gunners are unbeaten for eleven Premier League home games in a row (ten wins, one draw). They have also won five of their last seven home games against the Red Devils (one draw, one defeat). Consequently, the odds on Arsenal against Manchester United are swinging in the direction of the home side.
Still without conceding a goal in 2023
The strong defence also speaks in favour of the capitals. The only 14 goals conceded in 18 league games equals the second best value of all 20 teams in the Premier League. Most recently, Arteta’s eleven kept a clean sheet in all three of their competitive games in the 2023 calendar year.
However, the Gunners not only possess defensive qualities, but also shone in their forward play. The Londoners have scored in 17 of the 18 league games they have played so far. The only exception was the home match against Newcastle United (0-0).
Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale – Zinchenko – Magalhaes – Saliba – White – Partey – Xhaka – Ödegaard – Martinelli – Saka – Nketiah
Last matches played by Arsenal:
Premier League
15/01/2023 – Tottenham 0 – 2 Arsenal FC
FA Cup
10/01/2023 – Oxford 0 – 3 FC Arsenal
Premier League
04/01/2023 – Arsenal FC 0 – 0 Newcastle
01/01/2023 – Brighton 2 – 4 FC Arsenal
27/12/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 1 West Ham
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
Manchester United are still the English record champions with 20 league titles, but have not won the Premier League since the 2012/13 season. After the last season only brought a disappointing sixth place in the final table, the time for a major change had come.
For a long time it looked like the next tough season. Under Erik ten Hag, the first two league games against Brighton and Brentford were lost by a total of 1:6 goals. On top of that, there was constant disruptive fire from outside. Be it the arrest of Mason Greenwood or the constant fuss surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.
Only one defeat in last 20 competitive games
In the meantime, however, the Red Devils have freed themselves from all their baggage, which is indeed reflected in a tremendous upswing.
Of the last 20 competitive matches, the English record champions have lost only one (16 wins, three draws), which was also due to the strong Casemiro, who is missing this top match due to suspension.
Most recently, United even took city rivals Manchester City by surprise in the Manchester derby with a 2-1 win and thus moved back up to third place in the table. However, with Arsenal eight points behind, their chances of winning the title are likely to remain slim, unless Arsenal v Manchester United tip 2 pans out.
Seventh weakest away defence in the Premier League
Of course, Erik ten Hag’s side cannot completely rule out a three-goal win at the Emirates Stadium. After all, Manchester United were responsible for the Gunners’ only defeat in league action so far in the first leg, when Arsenal were beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ away record is the only area where there is room for improvement. United are third in the away table of the Premier League. However, the record holders have only won five of their ten league games away from home (two draws, three defeats) and have already conceded 17 goals away from home – seventh worst in the Premier League.
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea – Malacia – Shaw – Varane – Wan-Bissaka – Fred – McTominay- Eriksen – Rashford – Fernandes – Martial
Last matches played by Manchester United:
Premier League
19/01/2023 – Crystal Palace 1 – 1 Manchester United
14/01/2023 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Manchester City
Carabao Cup
11/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 0 Charlton
FA Cup
07/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 1 Everton
Premier League
04/01/2023 – Manchester United 3 – 0 Bournemouth
Arsenal – Manchester United Direct Comparison / H2H Record
Head to head: 86 – 50 – 101
There have been a total of 237 meetings between the two teams so far and the Red Devils lead the direct comparison with 101 victories. At least in their own stadium, however, Arsenal have had little to burn recently. The Gunners have won five of their last seven Premier League home games against Manchester United (one draw, one defeat).
Arsenal – Manchester United Tip
When it comes to Arsenal vs Manchester United, the betting odds swing in the direction of the Gunners, who have not only lost just one of their last seven Premier League home games against the English record holders (five wins, one draw), but have also won ten of their last eleven home games in the top English division (one draw) across the season. However, it was in the first leg against the Red Devils that the Londoners suffered their only defeat in league play to date.
Nevertheless, there is a lot to be said for predicting a point for Arsenal against Manchester United, who not only score regularly but also have strong defensive qualities. A lot of value is therefore provided by betting on the double chance 1X with less than 3.5 goals.
