Manchester United vs Arsenal: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
A faltering Manchester United side host title-chasing Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts suffered a damaging 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Monday, whereas Arsenal secured a 3-0 home win over Bournemouth. Kick-off is set for 4:30pm UK time.
Recent Form
Manchester United
The 4-0 demolition at Selhurst Park has left United in eighth, level on points with Chelsea one place above them. Champions League football is now completely out of reach for Erik Ten Hag's side, but the Red Devils may miss out on European football completely unless they can get points on the board in their final two games.
United have won once in their last seven games in the Premier League and have just three home wins in 2024. They have been scoring goals in that run though, with 14 bagged in their last seven.
Their main issue has been at the back. Conceding a record 57 goals this season, at an average of 1.57 per game, United prepare to welcome the highest-scoring side in the division this weekend. Ongoing injuries for defenders Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez won't help their cause.
Arsenal
Not only have the visitors secured six wins in their last seven, Mikel Arteta's side have also bagged 18 goals during that period. Averaging 2.44 goals in the league overall, the Gunners will be licking their lips at the thought of facing a leaky United defence.
Arsenal also boast the best defensive record in the division. Conceding just 13 away goals all season, they have averaged an impressive expected goals against (xGA) tally of 0.97. Arteta's men have also kept a spectacular 20 clean sheets so far.
The away side know only a win will do if they are to have any chance of securing their first league title in 20 years, and have only won once in their last 16 matches at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, they will surely fancy their chances against one of the poorest United sides in the Premier League era.
Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for @Arsenal 🫣
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 8, 2024
The Gunners travel to @ManUtd this weekend, where they have only won once in their last 16 Premier League matches 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZamZnjdPkF
Prediction
Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for the home side, but their tendency to give away opportunities will cost them. Averaging an xGA of 1.53 at Old Trafford, United have only managed four clean sheets on home turf this season. Combined with Arsenal's immense attacking output, which has seen them score three or more goals in 15 league outings, it's hard to see the Gunners not enjoying more success this weekend.