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Three Keys: Manchester United v Arsenal

 

Arsenal are aiming to get their first league win in 13 years at Old Trafford when they play Manchester United on Monday. Lots of factors will be at play when these two old rivals meet. Here are the Three Keys to this clash. Bet on the game here. 

Harry Maguire v Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 

Maguire has made a decent start of life in a Manchester United jersey even though the team results haven’t been pleasant. The 26-year-old has started all six of United’s Premier League matches this season keeping just two clean sheets. On Monday, he faces one of the most lethal marksmen in the league in Aubameyang. Maguire’s biggest flaw is lack of pace to match the pacey Gabon international. However, he’s shown that, with good positioning, he wouldn’t need pace.

Aubameyang proved once again last weekend just how crucial he is to Arsenal. The Gabon striker was instrumental as Unai Emery’s men fought back from a 2-1 deficit to claim a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa. He has scored twice against United in four appearances. Since he made his debut he has scored 38 league goals, which is four more than Sergio Aguero. Only Mohamed Salah (39) has scored more goals in that time. Therefore, Maguire should be wary.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer v Unai Emery

Despite being appointed on a permanent role towards the end of last season, United manager Solskjaer is under pressure to steady the ship. Since that famous night in Paris, his team have won five matches in 19 which doesn’t bode well with the United faithful. They started the season with a 4-0 win over Chelsea but things have gone downhill since then. The Norwegian has beaten Emery’s Arsenal once but has also lost once against the Spaniard. Given the phenomenal record, United have against the Gunners at Old Trafford, Ole will want to give the fans something to smile about after losing last time out.

Football under Emery at Arsenal has been described by pundits and fans as chaotic. Most of the Gunners games this season have lacked some semblance of control. Most of them have been end-to-end encounters. In matches against Watford, Eintracht Frankfurt and Aston Villa, they have faced 69 shots. That statistic shows a complete lack of control from Emery’s team. On Monday, he’ll need most of that against a dangerous counter-attacking United team.

Home form v Record against Big Six

The Red Devils last tasted defeat at Old Trafford against Arsenal in the league in 2006. United have always had Arsenal’s number when it comes to their home ground although the Gunners beat them there in the FA Cup in 2015. United have some good memories against Arsenal at the Theatre of Dreams. The 8-2 battering and the Battle of the Buffet are some of the most memorable encounters between these two at Old Trafford. Can United continue with this good run against the Gunners in their home ground?

Arsenal not only have a poor record at Old Trafford but also away games against the top six. Since winning 2-0 at Manchester City in 2015, the Gunners’ record in Premier League away games against the top six is 14 losses and eight draws in 22 games and eight points from a possible 66. It is a damning statistic which paints a picture of Arsenal’s fragility against their biggest rivals. Mental weakness, lack of belief and tactical naivety have always been a problem. Do Arsenal have the mental strength to register their first league win at Old Trafford in 13 years?

 

Big Game Focus: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid will host Real Madrid in the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano in one of the fiercest derbies on the continent this weekend. Bet on football here.

Both teams began their La Liga season in contrasting fashion, but this is not expected to play any role when they take to the pitch. Atletico won their first three games but failed to win any of their next three games across all competitions. Diego Simeone’s men will be out to earn the bragging rights and build confidence ahead of their trip to Moscow for their Champions League clash with Lokomotiv on Tuesday.

Los Blancos shared the spoils with Real Valladolid and Villarreal, before being humiliated by PSG in the Champions League. However, they earned back-to-back wins against Sevilla and Osasuna to get things moving in the right direction. They don’t have a very bad record on their travels here and they will be hoping keep it that way here.

Betting preview

Goals are usually in short supply in Atletico Madrid’s fixtures. Under 2.5 Goals has paid out in five of their six Liga games this season, as well as three of their last four domestic meetings with Real. Odds of 1.85 for this to happen are looking pretty good and you can back that to happen.

Real were impressive against Sevilla but given the standard of the opposition, we don’t think they have enough to win against Atletico Madrid on their own turf and therefore backing a Double Chance Home Win looks good at odds of 1.40.

Both sides have seen Both Teams to Score No land in three of their last five outings and we think there is a good chance for this to happen again. You can back Both Teams to Score No at odds of 2.05 this way.

Team news

Alvaro Morata will miss the weekend’s action after picking up two yellow cards against Real Mallorca. In that case, Joao Felix might have to partner Diego Costa up front for the home side. Thomas Lemar is expected to be given a start on the left-hand side of midfield, with Koke on the opposite flank.

Zinedine Zidane took a risk against Osasuna on Wednesday by leaving out Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Thibaut Courtois on the bench. They will all be expected back for the weekend clash. Ferland Mendy and Marcelo are both sidelined due to injury for the visitors, which will see Nacho feature at left-back.

Possible line ups

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi, Koke, Niguez, Partey, Lemar, Costa, Felix.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho, Casemiro, Modric, Hazard, Rodriguez, Bale, Benzema.

 

Top five meetings: Manchester United v Arsenal

Manchester United and Arsenal will face off in the Premier League for the Monday night showdown. Here we look back to history for some of the top five fixtures between the sides. Bet on football here.

Arsenal 3 v 2 Manchester United: 1979

This match was played in May of 1979 and it has gone down as one of the greatest FA Cup finals ever. Arsenal began the match very well and they seemed in control of proceedings until five minutes from time. Drama began soon after and by the 90th minute three more goals had been scored. Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy almost engineered a remarkable comeback by United, only for Alan Sunderland to net the winner just a minute after McIlroy had equalized. The match has become known as the ‘five-minute final.’

Manchester United 8 v 2 Arsenal: 2011

This match is the highest scoring of their 219 meetings and Manchester United bullied an injury-plagued Arsenal side at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick, Ashley Young scored two fine solo goals, whilst Danny Welbeck, Ji Sung Park and Nani all chipped in with a goal each. Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott did pull goals back for Gunners, but by then the damage was done – and the heaviest defeat in Arsene Wenger’s 19-year tenure at Arsenal was already in the history books.

Arsenal 0 v 0 Manchester United (Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties): 2005

Arsenal exerted a measure of revenge for the previous season’s FA Cup defeat against the Red Devils, who actually dominated for large spells. Arsenal were lucky as the goal-frame denied both Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy. at the Millennium Stadium. The Gunners, meanwhile, were reduced to 10 men when Jose Antonio Reyes was sent off towards the end of extra-time. In the first FA Cup final to be decided on penalties, Paul Scholes was the only one to miss from the spot, with Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira slotting home the winner.

Manchester United 0 v 1 Arsenal:  2002

This was yet another close affair and Arsenal were lucky to come out on top. The match was determined by a singular goal as Sylvain Wiltord scored the match winner. Arsenal clinched the title on the ground of their bitter enemies and secured a dramatic turn-around for the North London club. Arsenal went on to clinch their double, when they won the FA Cup a few weeks later.

Arsenal 1 v 2 Manchester United: 1999

This match, played in April 1999, was the defining match of United’s treble-winning season and famous for one of the greatest goals. David Beckham put United in the lead but Dennis Bergkamp equalized and it looked like Arsenal would go on to win as Roy Keane was sent off and soon after Arsenal were awarded a penalty. However, Peter Schmeichel saved Bergkamp’s spot-kick before Ryan Giggs picked up the ball in his own half, to score a brilliant individual effort and secure the win for United.

 

Things to look out for in Premier League: Matchweek 7

 

Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Watford and Chelsea are looking to return to winning ways, while West Ham and Bournemouth are aiming to continue with their good run of form in the Premier League this weekend. Here are some of the Things to look out for in the Premier League: Matchweek 7. Bet on the Premier League here. 

Manchester United v Arsenal – Who will lift the gloom?

This fixture was once one of England’s fiercest rivalries, but years of underinvestment and mismanagement has made it meaningless. A match between Arsenal and Manchester United was one of the biggest matches in English football which would determine who lifts the coveted Premier League title. These two meet on Monday but that rivalry, although it still retains some glamour, it is a distant memory. Now, it’s a fight of who will get into the top four and who will avoid social media banter. Both have made poor starts to the season and whoever wins on Monday will at least bring some much-needed delirium to the fans.

Bottom of the table clash: Wolves and Watford

Both Wolves and Watford are winless in the Premier League this season. The Hornets have already fired their manager Javi Gracia and replaced him with former boss Quique Sanchez Flores. Wolves’ boss Nuno Espirito Santo is a man under pressure ahead of their clash against Watford. The Hornets suffered a chastening 8-0 defeat away to champions Manchester City last time out. The home team have failed to win any of the last five league meetings between these two since the Hornets triumphed 2-1 at Vicarage Road in November 2012

Marco Silva’s last throw of the dice

Everton suffered yet another defeat against newly-promoted Sheffield United putting more pressure on Marco Silva. A clash against rampant Manchester City is not a fixture Silva would want to use to bounce back. Everton spent over £100m in the summer transfer window but currently sit 14th and hopes of breaking into the top six look bleak. A win over City might save Silva’s job, but can he stop Pep’s men?

Lampard to gain first home win?

Chelsea are yet to taste victory in the league at Stamford Bridge. They’ve drawn two and lost once of their three home games. On Saturday, they face Brighton, a team that have taken only one point from 13 Premier League away matches at last season’s top six sides and lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge last season. If they produce a performance as they did against Liverpool, they shouldn’t have a problem dispatching the Seagulls.

Clash of top six contenders: Bournemouth v West Ham

Both Bournemouth and West Ham have made decent starts to the season and they sit sixth and fifth respectively. Both teams registered huge wins last week and their consistency should be put to test when they meet. The Cherries are unbeaten in five meetings against the Hammers and have won three of those five matches. Moreover, both teams are looking to break into the top six this season given the huge summers they had. Can Eddie Howe’s men continue with their good record against the Hammers?

 

Pochettino to ease the pressure

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure following a poor start to the season. Spurs have won just three of their last ten league matches and the Argentine is aiming to alleviate some of the pressure when they host Southampton this weekend. Spurs have won just once this season and have lost to Leicester and Newcastle. They have blown leads against Arsenal, Olympiakos and the Foxes. Can they bounce back this weekend?

Big Game Focus: Inter Milan v Lazio

 

Inter Milan’s title credentials will be put to a stern test when they meet Lazio in their fifth Serie A match of the season. Antonio Conte’s men have made a perfect start to the campaign, while Lazio have had a mixed start to the season. Can Inter make it five out of five? Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on Serie A here. 

Inter Milan continued their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over arch-rivals AC Milan on Saturday. That victory ensured they remained top of the pile with 12 points from four matches, making them a serious title contender. However, their quest for the Scudetto will face a huge test when they welcome Lazio for the midweek clash at the San Siro. Conte will expect his team to win this encounter given matches against Barcelona and Juventus are just around the corner.

Lazio ended a three-game winless streak with a comfortable victory over Parma on Sunday. Lazio’s main issue has been consistency. You’ll have to go back to late March when Simone Inzaghi’s side won back-to-back Serie A matches. They won here last season but this time they will have to be at their best to stop a rampant Nerazzurri.

Betting preview

Inter Milan have won all of their Serie A matches this season and comfortably sit at the top of the table. Although Lazio beat them in their last meeting, the Nerazzurri have won three of the last five. The Biancocelesti have historically been poor when facing Italy’s bigger sides. Lazio have lost their last two away matches. Therefore, you can back a Home Win at odds of 2.00. 

Three of the last five games in the Serie A between these two rivals have seen three or more goals scored. Two of both Inter and Lazio’s four league matches this season have seen Over 2.5 Goals. For that reason, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.80. 

Romelu Lukaku has settled in at the San Siro marvelously. He has scored three goals in four league matches and is performing well. Odds of 2.30 for Romelu Lukaku as Anytime Goalscorer look attractive.

Team news

Antonio Candreva is expected to be back on the right flank after missing the derby. Matteo Politano, Lautaro Martínez and Alexis Sanchez will be fighting for a starting berth up front alongside Lukaku.

Lazio have no major injury concerns but Inzaghi might rotate his squad.

Possible line-ups

Inter: Handanovic, Candreva, Godin, de Vrij, Skriniar, Asamoah, Sensi, Brozovic, Vecino, Politano Lukaku.

Lazio: Strakosha, Lazzari, Felipe, Acerbi, Radu, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Lulic, Alberto, Immobile, Correa

Things to look out for in Serie A: Matchweek 5

The Serie A midweek action will resume tonight as Napoli and Inter Milan seek to accumulate points. Here is a look at some of the talking points. Bet on football here.

Edin Dzeko to stand out?

Roma are aiming to add to their fine run of form in Serie A when they host Atalanta on tonight. The visitors are hoping to return to winning ways here and whereas we are backing them to score a couple, there is a good chance they are not going to keep a clean sheet. The hosts can rival Atalanta’s scoring form going forward. With Edin Dzeko fit you can expect lots of drama as the forward has three from three at home this term. He also has an incredible record against Atalanta, following four goals and an assist in five against this opposition.

Bologna’s impressive start to the season to continue

Bologna have had a brilliant start to the season and despite losing their last fixture against Roma they have done well so far. Their next test will be against Genoa and we expect a very exciting fixture. They are the only side to rack up over ten Expected Goals in the first four games of the campaign. To this end, they have scored seven times already, while their last away trip saw them hit four goals away to Brescia, pointing to another good outing for them

Inter Milan to prove title credentials

Inter Milan continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory over rivals AC Milan on Saturday night. They will be out to demonstrate their title credentials when they face Lazio in midweek ahead of clashes against Barcelona and Juve in the next coming 11 days. They showed their mettel against AC Milan at the weekend, now they need to confirm this against a team who tend to disappoint in this kind of fixture.

Fiorentina’s struggles far from over

Sampdoria’s poor start to the season could be a thing of the past as they travel to Fiorentina on the back of a win. The hosts have won just two of their last 24 matches in Serie A since the beginning of the year. The host are winless in their last 18 league games, which includes a run of seven losses in ten matches and this has left them near the bottom of the table yet again. They have now failed to score in six of their last seven Serie A home games and Sampdoria have lost just once in their last five visits complicating matters.

Napoli to extend excellent record against Cagliari

Napoli’s season is going from strength to strength and they will be out to keep it that way when they host Cagliari. The Partenopei have won their previous seven meetings with Cagliari and on current form, we can only see this one going to the home side. Carlo Ancelotti’s men enjoyed three straight wins in the space of eight days. The visitors also have scoring form at this ground, having scored in three of their last four visits and they will not go down without a fight.