Champions League-Manchester United v Arsenal
Arsenal visit Old Trafford tonight in good form, but after their five goal second half display at the weekend, United will be in a confident mood too. It makes for an exciting looking contest and one that could provide spectators with an exciting spectacle.
United have only lost at home once all season-to Liverpool- and that’s one of the reason’s they are favourites at 5/6 (Ladbrokes). That doesn’t look to be too bad a price really and we’re sure there will be plenty of takers on United to win at that price.
Arsenal come into the game unbeaten in 20 league games and maybe more importantly unbeaten in 10 away matches. Their only recent defeat was in the cup semi final against Chelsea, so they are in great form and will be hard to beat. They don’t do too badly against their old rivals either, in the last 12 league meetings between the two sides Arsenal have won three United have won four and five have been draws. At Old Trafford Arsenal aren’t as successful however and have only won one of the last five meetings.
With nearly half the recent matches between the teams ending all square, a draw tonight at 12/5 (Paddypower) must come into the calculations.
Manchester United put on another sizzling second half display against Spurs at the weekend and that trend of second half goals is one that not only applies to the majority of United’s home matches this season, but also in previous encounters at home against Arsenal. In the last 10 games seven times the matches between the clubs have been 0-0 at half time, so taking the draw at half time 6/5 (Bet365) would seem to make sense. With United odds on to win the match another option at far better odds would be to take the half time/ full time result of draw/Manchester United which is available at 7/2 (Skybet).
At odds of 4/1 (Coral) Arsenal look to be priced just about right to get the win. We’re not overly enthusiastic about their chances tonight however and we’re more inclined to lean toward the bet of them qualifying 5/4 (Paddypower) as the bet to get on.
A tight low scoring affair is what we envisage tonight and we wouldn’t be too surprised to see one goal being enough to win it. We are tempted to go with a draw at the price, but with United having home advantage and a relatively good home record against Arsenal we’ve decided we’re going to come down on the side of a home win.
Our prediction is a win for Manchester United. We are selecting a correct score of 1-0 11/2 (Ladbrokes) and we’re picking Wayne Rooney 11/2 (Paddypower) to be the goalscorer.
Ladbrokes
