Arsenal vs. Manchester United odds, preview and pick

Two fierce rivals will square off on Saturday afternoon, as Manchester United travels to London to face Arsenal in Premier League action.

United come into the match as slight favorites despite their shock 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday, while Arsenal have won their last two matches by a combined 6-1 score.

Arsenal rolling after rough start

After taking just two points over a seven match span, Arsenal have found their footing over the past month, dropping just two points in their last six league matches. This has seen them jump back into the top half of the table after their putrid start.

However, they face some serious lineup questions heading into this match. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has missed the last two matches due to personal reasons, and Kieran Tierney missed the midweek match with Southampton with a muscle problem. They also will be without Dani Ceballos, who has just returned to training after suffering a calf injury.

In that match on Tuesday, both Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe left with muscle injuries, and they are questionable for this match. Martin Odegaard, who just arrived on loan this week from Real Madrid, may feature right away, depending on who is available.

Alex Lacazette will likely be flanked on either side by Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka in attack, with the three playing well together of late. Saka has scored in four of Arsenal’s last six league matches, with two assists and two Man of the Match performances during that span.

Manchester United try to maintain pace

United are trying to recover from their stunning 2-1 home defeat to a bottom-table Sheffield United squad that had failed to score multiple goals in their previous six matches—going back to, ironically, a 3-2 defeat to United.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rotated the squad and got poor performances from Anthony Martial and Alex Telles, and his questionable substitutions did not help the matter as they conceded a late winner on a deflected shot.

The team will likely go back to full strength for this match, but many expect Martial to be dropped for either Edinson Cavani or Mason Greenwood, with Paul Pogba likely playing on the left. Fred and Scott McTominay are also likely to regain their places in midfield, giving United their best defensive look while sacrificing some attack with Marcus Rashford playing on the right.

Rashford has seen his form dip of late, with his last Premier League goals coming the final week of December. However, while six of his seven goals in the league have come away from Old Trafford, he has not scored against the Gunners in their last ten meetings. He is joined by Bruno Fernandes, who has played decently but has not scored in United’s last four Premier League matches.

Trends and Free Bet

Arsenal won the reverse fixture in November, a tight 1-0 affair at Old Trafford. It was their fourth consecutive result against the Red Devils, having won three of the four meetings. They have also kept three clean sheets in that stretch against United. Another win for Arsenal would see them beat their northern rivals three straight times for the first time in twenty years. The last four meetings between the sides have also seen exactly two goals scored.

However, Manchester United have now gone more than a year without an away defeat in the league, with 17 consecutive matches resulting in a win or draw. They also have seven wins from losing positions on the road this season, tops in the league.

Arsenal have scored three goals or more in three of their last four matches, including each of the last two. They have also conceded just twice in their last six matches, but their four clean sheets during this run have come against sides in the bottom half of the table. They have scored in six of their last seven outings.

Meanwhile, United have conceded three in their last two matches, both against teams in the relegation zone, and tend to play more compact against the better sides in the league. They have not scored more than two goals in any of their last seven matches, but only against Liverpool where they were held off the scoresheet.

United’s defeat in midweek saw their title odds dip significantly, and they know a win against Arsenal is required if they are to try to keep up with Manchester City. Their away form has been stellar, and if Tierney is unable to go, Arsenal’s form will likely dip a bit. However, United under Solksjaer have yet to defeat a “big six” side this season, and given the struggles of Bruno and Rashford of late, a draw seems to be the most likely outcome for all involved—with yet again, two goals scored.

Free Pick: DRAW (+245), UNDER 2.5 (-103)