Free football betting tips: Man Utd v Arsenal - Mark O'Haire's Super Sunday preview & best bets
Mark O'Haire previews the Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, and he's opposing goals at Old Trafford.
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Manchester United v Arsenal
- 16:30 GMT on Sky Sports Premier League
- Match Odds: Home 21/20 | Draw 13/5 | Away 12/5
Credit to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United. Since the 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham, the Red Devils have gone W3-D1-L0, including back-to-back clean sheets. Even more impressive, were the performances in turning PSG over in Paris, shredding Leipzig at Old Trafford and neutering Chelsea last weekend. Respect.
Nobody anticipated United handing out a 5-0 drubbing of the Bundesliga leaders in midweek but Solskjaer’s diamond system worked a treat. The much-maligned defensive duo of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof kept the Germans quiet, whilst Donny van de Beek was steady and tidy in front of them after being a handed a rare start in the Red Devils’ midfield.
Marcus Rashford earned the headlines for his exceptional contribution from the bench with Solskjaer also able to call upon star man Bruno Fernandes and newcomer Edinson Cavani. There’s no doubt that when United’s squad are fit and firing, they can be a formidable proposition, exemplified by their superb, all-round display on Wednesday night.
However, United continue their brutal schedule with another testing tussle against Arsenal on Sunday and I just wonder whether they are being overegged. The hosts were well backed in the aftermath of that Leipzig success and come into this clash having only been a shorter price at home to the Gunners once over the past seven seasons.
Solskjaer’s side appeared limited and toothless against a pragmatic Chelsea outfit and it’s hard to get a firm handle on United’s approach and selection knowing next up is a kinder contest against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.
In the visitors dressing room, Arsenal have their own issues to address. Mikel Arteta’s honeymoon period came to a juddering halt following another lacklustre effort against Leicester at The Emirates, and for all the progress made from a defensive standpoint, the Gunners remain a work in longer-term progress and lack the punch of yesteryear.
Arteta’s outfit have yet to fire in more than 13 shots in any of their Premier League fixtures, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lack of contribution continues to baffle with Alexandre Lacazette no longer the consistent poacher that excelled in Ligue 1. Creativity, incision and penetration are absent and Arsenal also have injury concerns over numerous defenders.
- 1pt Matty Cash to make 4+ tackles in Aston Villa v Southampton at 9/4
- 1pt Everton 6+ shots on target v Newcastle at 5/4
- 1pt Allan to make 4+ tackles in Newcastle v Everton at 6/5
- 1pt Ben White to be shown a card in Tottenham v Brighton at 5/1
Read Sunday's tips all in one place
Nevertheless, suspicion suggests Arsenal will approach this encounter in a similar way to their trips to Anfield and The Etihad, thus denying United the opportunity to counter-attack. And with that in mind, we might not be in for the anticipated market expectation for a thrill-a-minute affair, and instead opposing goals could be the smart selection at Old Trafford.
United displayed a level of caution against Chelsea, while Arsenal are just too functional, without a leading playmaker, and slow-paced to fall into the trap of an end-to-end thriller. The Gunners’ games feature the fewest shots from inside the penalty area in the Premier League this term and so under 2.5 goals is preferred at the prices (23/20).
Man Utd are fair and firm favourites to succeed – understandably after their standout triumphs of the past fortnight – with Arsenal winless at Big Six clubs in 28-games since 2015. But there’s little margin of value in the odds on offer so I’ll focus my attention on a low-scoring showdown from Old Trafford. I’d be surprised if this fixture catches fire.
Score prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
Best bet: 2pts Under 2.5 Goals at 23/20
Odds correct at 1600 GMT (29/10/20)
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