Arsenal vs Manchester United
What a way to start this weekend’s FA Cup Fourth Round! Two of the Premier League’s royalty come together in a fight to the death at the Emirates.
FA Cup Arsenal vs Manchester United is a dream tie for the neutrals. When these two were drawn out of the hat together, there were gasps of anticipation from both sets of fans. There were also smiles from every other club in the country, knowing that one of the Cup favourites are about to fall at the second hurdle.
The Arsenal vs Manchester United betting odds show us just what a great game we’re in for on Friday night, with the Gunners marginal favourites at 2.52, the Red Devils are at 2.68 and 3.20 the draw. They are on level points in the league at fifth and sixth place with 44 points, and both arrive at the Emirates on the back of a crucial win.
So pull up a chair and enjoy the Clash of the Round!
Talking points
The winner of this huge game could be a decent bet to go all the way in this year’s competition, with SBOBET odds pitching Manchester United at 8.50 and Arsenal at 12.00 to lift the famous trophy next May; a feat they have already achieved 25 times between them.
Aaron’s okay for the Gunners
The big European transfer news of the window so far has been Aaron Ramsay’s impending move to Juventus, but that won’t shake the Welsh wizard’s determination to help the Gunners in his remaining months in North London. And he would love to go out with a trophy.
Unai Emery’s team needs him to keep his standards high. After going 22 games unbeaten in all competitions, the Gunners have faltered somewhat. But they roared back to form in a big derby win over Chelsea which hauled Emery’s team right back in the hunt for a top-four place. Arsenal look a better defensive unit with Laurent Koscielny back in the fold, and he capped a superb performance against Chelsea with a goal.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has 14 league goals, hot on the heels of Liverpool’s Mo Salah, and he’s building up a formidable partnership with eight-goal Alexandre Lacazette. But Ramsey remains a pivotal part of the team, linking defence and attack as he so ably showed against Chelsea.
Red Devils are smiling again
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s positive impact on morale at Old Trafford has been well documented, but the way that has translated immediately into results is impressive. There is only one game they wouldn’t have expected to win, away to Spurs, and they came away with three points thanks to an unbelievable display from keeper David de Gea.
Let’s see how far they’ve come in such a short span of time. A win, or even a draw, on Friday, would add weight to the argument that Ole has the magic touch required.
Marcus Rashford is one of those players benefitting from his new regime at Old Trafford, netting the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brighton which made it seven wins from seven for Solskjaer. Rashford has scored five goals in six league games under the guidance of the baby-faced assassin. He’s playing with the freedom and vitality of the Manchester United sides Ole used to grace… and the fans love it.
Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez is in line for a starting place against his former club, still with a lot to prove to Manchester United fans. But the game is likely to be too early for Arsenal’s former Red Devil Henrikh Mkhitaryan, on his way back from injury.
History
Arsenal are the FA Cup kings, of course, with 13 wins to their name, but Manchester United are just one behind. Next on the list are Chelsea and Spurs with eight, so this is the Big Two of English cup football for sure, the Gunners winning their last FA Cup in 2017 and the Red Devils a year earlier.
Both teams made it through to the third round with comfortable wins over lower league opposition, Arsenal beating Blackpool 3-0 while Manchester United overcame Reading 2-0.
United have had the better of the head-to-heads since 1993, winning 30 of the 62 games with Arsenal triumphing in 17, and there have been 15 draws.
The recent Arsenal vs Manchester United results have been kinder to the Manchester side too. The Gunners have won only one of the last six meetings but did have the better of a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in December, near the end of Jose Mourinho’s reign.
The Gunners have won their last three at home while United won the last three away. Something is going to give.
Betting tip
Arsenal vs Manchester United | 2-3 goals @1.91 | |
January 26, 03:55 (GMT+8) |
This is a great game, hard to call and one to enjoy. So I’m going to sit on the fence! Any of the three results are very much on.
I don’t see a bore-draw with Ole in charge of the Red Devils, and both teams will hope to avoid a replay. I suspect and hope we might see a thriller with the victors winning by the odd goal in three.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: | |||
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= €20 (Highly confident) | = €10 (CONFIDENT) | = €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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