Manchester United vs Arsenal

Old Trafford forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Premier League encounter between familiar foes Manchester United and Arsenal. 

Though Manchester United’s Premier League season is in the dust after a humiliating 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace earlier this week relegated them outside the European qualification spots, the record-time English champions can still influence the title race. Under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag expects a reaction from his team after suffering his joint-heaviest defeat in charge of Man Utd, hoping to avenge a gut-wrenching 3-1 loss in September’s reverse fixture. Anything other than a third consecutive home league win against the Gunners would leave United exposed to the risk of their worst finish in the Premier League era (8th). Worryingly for the Red Devils, they’ve lost the most league games in a single top-flight season since 1989/90 (13). On the upside, they’re unbeaten in their last four home league outings (W2, D2). 

In the meantime, Arsenal tightened the noose on a long-awaited Premier League title with a comfortable 3-0 home win against Bournemouth last time out, extending their winning league streak to four matches. Despite commencing this round as the Premier League leaders, a point clear of second-placed Manchester City, their title hopes are out of their hands. The Citizens have a game in hand, meaning there’s no wriggle room as they bid to complete their first top-flight double over Man Utd since 2006/07. Since beating the Red Devils in September 2006, they’ve only won once on their last 16 Premier League visits to Old Trafford (D5, L10), underscoring the size of the task at hand. But Mikel Arteta’s men can draw confidence from winning seven of their eight away league matches in 2024 (D1)!