Arsenal aren’t assured of a top-three finish – and an automatic Champions League spot – just yet. After suffering their first loss in three months, the Gunners are just two points clear of fourth-place Manchester United, whom they face at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United are coming off a morale-boosting win to end their prolonged losing skid, and another win at home will see them leapfrog the Gunners for that coveted third spot. Read on for our preview of this marquee Premier League matchup.
While those two clubs fight for Champions League places in next year’s tournament, the last two clubs standing in this season’s competition will battle it out for the cup. Check out our early preview of the final between Juventus and Barcelona here.
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Manchester United vs. Arsenal Preview
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, May 17, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Arsenal +190 at Manchester United +117, tie +228; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Manchester United
Manchester United finally ended their disastrous three-match losing run with a hard-fought 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace. Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini netted for United, who had also failed to score in any of their three consecutive losses.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]It’s been a rather disappointing end to United’s season, a bad run of form that began with the injury to midfielder Michael Carrick. Carrick has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and the absence of his calming presence in front of United’s back four will be a concern against Arsenal’s talented attack.
But the good news for United is that strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie should be fit to face Arsenal. Rooney had to be substituted at halftime against Palace with a facial injury, while van Persie missed out entirely with an illness. Left-back Luke Shaw, who also had to be subbed off against Palace, could also feature.
Rooney just loves playing against Arsenal. He scored the game-sealing goal in United’s 2-1 win over the Gunners at the Emirates last November. That was the 14th goal he’s scored in his career against Arsenal, tied for his personal best against any other club. Van Persie should also be a useful weapon off the bench. He has scored in both games at Old Trafford against his old club.
Old Trafford has been a fortress against Arsenal through the years. United are undefeated at home against the Gunners in the league since 2006.
Arsenal tasted a league defeat for the first time in a long time last Monday as they were shocked 1-0 at home against Swansea. It was Arsenal’s first league loss since the North London derby back on Feb. 7. The Gunners had won nine out of 10 games during that stretch.
Despite dominating the match – they controlled 68 percent of possession and launched 23 shots on goal – poor finishing let the Gunners down, as they failed to score for the second time in three matches.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be ready to shake up his team against United after naming an unchanged starting 11 for five games running. And with Olivier Giroud in the middle of a four-game goalless drought in the league, former United striker Danny Welbeck might be in line to make his first start since missing the last two games with a hamstring strain.
Welbeck has already haunted his old club once this season. He scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 FA Cup win over United at Old Trafford last March.
After years of being known as a team that struggles in big matches against the top teams, Arsenal have actually had a pretty good record in those games this season. They’ve lost just twice (2-2-3) against the four other teams in the top five in seven meetings. Their defensive solidity in more recent games against top opposition has been especially impressive. They allowed just one goal in three games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Writer’s Prediction
United’s offense sputters while Arsenal’s defense holds firm as they play out a 1-1 draw (+228).
