Arsenal have gone 12 Premier League games without a defeat but now face a major challenge against Manchester United. The Red Devils are the only side to beat the Gunners in the league this season. Can they do it again on Sunday?
A back-and-forth-contest is expected with bookmaker William Hill offering odds at 1.67 for both teams to score. The odds are at 3.50 for Arsenal to win with both teams scoring and at 6.50 for United to win with both sides getting on the scoreboard.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: January 21st, 12:00 P.M. (EST)
Mikel Arteta’s men have been in superb form but United’s run of results isn’t bad either. Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace was a disappointment for Erik ten Hag’s team but it’s one of only four games United have failed to win in their past 12 league outings.
United have slowly crept up the table and find themselves just eight points behind Arsenal. Sunday will be a true six-pointer for both sides and history has shown that anything can happen in the match-up.
Can United win without Casemiro? The Brazilian midfield general won’t be available this weekend after picking up a suspension with his fifth booking of the season Wednesday. He has been a vital piece during the team’s rise from the ashes with United winning 66.7 percent of matches with him in the starting lineup compared to 57.1 percent when he has not started.
United have earned 2.3 points per game with Casemiro starting and only 1.7 without him. In addition, he has made a massive impact on the defensive side of things with the team conceding two goals per game without him in the starting unit and 0.7 with him available.
Casemiro’s absence will definitely leave United vulnerable at the back, meaning that a big offensive performance will likely be required to get the three points. In that regard, United are in luck as Marcus Rashford has been unstoppable since returning from the World Cup break.
Wednesday’s outing marked Rashford’s first game without a goal since the season restarted. He also crushed it in the first meeting of the season with Arsenal, registering two goals and an assist in a 3-1 win.
United beat the Gunners at home for a second consecutive season and will hope to end a bad run at Emirates. Their last away league win against Arsenal came in December 2017 and Arsenal have since then won three of four home matches. Another victory on Sunday would be a big step toward the league title for Arteta’s men.
