Manchester United and Arsenal face off on Sunday in the English Premier League. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are four games unbeaten since their thrashing against Tottenham, whilst Mikel Arteta’s charges have lost their last two Premier League matches.
Manchester United Form
After something of a disastrous start to this season, leaking nine goals in their first two home league games, including a 6-1 mauling by Tottenham, Man Utd have recovered well. Their 2-1 win away in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and a 0-0 draw with Chelsea has seen their defensive woes put aside for now. And then the 5-0 Champions League result against RB Leipzig has suddenly changed the outlook and mood around Old Trafford completely. The Chelsea result ended a run of six games that saw over 2.5 goals, with three of those matches containing five or more goals.
Manchester United Team News
The home side are still without Anthony Martial for this game due to suspension. Solskjaer could either use Edinson Cavani from the start for the first time but is more likely to recall Mason Greenwood in that position or continue with Dan James on the left and Marcus Rashford up front. Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard are both out with injury, but it’s unlikely either would have started. The big question is whether Man Utd set up in a 3-4-1-2 shape or go with their more usual 4-2-3-1 and whether Paul Pogba gets the nod from the start or has to make do with a bench role.
Arsenal Team News
The visitors have an injury crisis in defence despite having either central defenders on their books. David Luiz, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding are all likely to be out injured, whilst Callum Chambers is still a few weeks away.
Shkodran Mustafi started the 3-0 Europa League win against Dundalk and could play again on Sunday as William Saliba is yet to convince Arteta of his readiness. For the Spanish coach, there is also a decision over which shape to play – either a back three or a 4-3-3 setup. The latter could toothless against Leicester without a genuine number ten in the squad now that Mesut Ozil is ineligible for league action.
Arsenal Form
Having lifted the FA Cup to end last season and then an impressive victory in the Community Shield and two three good wins to start this campaign, things have looked less rosy for Arteta and Arsenal of late.
The side have lost three of their last four league matches, all to sides who finished last season above them in Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester. Arteta’s previous knack of winning the big matches has taken a hit this term.
Aubameyang’s Struggles
One big factor for this game could be the form of captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He is five league games without a goal and is managing just 1.35 shots and 0.18 Expected goals per 90 minutes this season. He was used on the right of the front three against Leicester and it simply did not suit him.
Prediction
Suggested Bet: Manchester United to win at 2.00
Value Bet: Manchester United to win & Over 2.5 goals at 3.00
Value Bet: Manchester United to win and BTTS at 3.45
Goalscorer Bet: Rashofrd to score anytime at 2.80
Goalscorer Bet: Aubameyang to score anytime at 2.30