da blaze casino： Manchester United host Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend with both sides desperate for a win.
da esport bet： United will be hoping to build on their 3-1 away win at Swansea City a fortnight ago and close the gap on the top four, while the Gunners will be keen to put the pressure on leaders Liverpool after a draw in their last game against local rivals Spurs.
The Red Devils got the better of their rivals in this fixture last season, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice on his Premier League debut in a 3-2 win for Louis van Gaal’s side.
They will probably find it more difficult overcoming Arsenal this time around, however, with the Gunners currently enjoying a sixteen-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
There have been some thrilling matches between the two sides in the past and many will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday at lunchtime.
Here’s everything you need to know about the fixture ahead of a potentially huge game, not least including betting odds, injury news, likely starting XIs and words from the managers.
FAVOURITES, FORM AND PRIOR ENCOUNTERS
MANCHESTER UNITED – 8/5, DRAW – 23/10, ARSENAL 19/10
Manchester United will be the more confident when they look at the recent form between the two sides.
Despite Arsenal have more success over the past few years, the Red Devils have won three of the last six league encounters and also earned two draws, with the Gunners managing a solitary win last season.
Arsene Wenger’s side did come out on top when they met in the FA Cup two seasons ago, but it is perhaps surprising to see how well United have fared against them in the post-Fergie era. The bookies are just favouring United to come out on top again, with odds of 8/5 to Arsenal’s 19/10.
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
MANCHESTER UNITED
United will have to face Arsenal with a depleted defence after a spate of defensive injuries before the international break.
According to Physioroom, first-choice central pairing Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly will both miss the game, while Antonio Valencia is also definitely out.
Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini are also doubts with a calf and knee injury respectively.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also miss out as he serves a one-match ban for picking up five bookings.
ARSENAL
Arsenal have their own fair share of injuries, as they prepare to travel to United without a number of first-team players.
Hector Bellerin has been sidelined for four weeks and joins Santi Cazorla, Lucas Perez, Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck and Chuba Akpom on the treatment table, as per Physioroom.
LINEUPS
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Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Luke Shaw is fit enough to play against Arsenal after missing the Swansea game and could return to the fold in order to allow Daley Blind to move into central defence.
Mourinho may also look to shore up his midfield by placing Michael Carrick alongside Ander Herrera, with Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata in the attacking trident. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic unavailable and Wayne Rooney likely to miss out, Marcus Rashord should be moved from the left-wing to his strongest position – up front.
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With Bellerin out and Wenger unlikely to trust Carl Jenkinson so soon after returning from injury, there is a possibility Gabriel will be used at right-back. Apart from that we’ll likely see the same lineup that faced Spurs a fortnight ago, with Alexis Sanchez expected to be fit enough to start up front after playing 84 minutes for Chile in the week.
THE KEY BATTLE
The final result will likely be decided by how much influence Mesut Ozil has on the game. The German playmaker is the chief creative man for the Gunners and will be looking to provide the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott with chances – or maybe even score himself.
Mourinho is likely to field two defensive-minded midfielders to counter Ozil’s threat, possibly Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick. As the more mobile of the two, Herrera will likely be charged with harassing Arsenal’s number 11 and disrupting the Gunners’ rhythm as much as possible.
WORD FROM THE MANAGERS
JOSE MOURINHO ON ARSENE WENGER
“The only thing that matters is what you get as a team, our team’s results, our CV if you want to go in that direction and in the Premier League tomorrow is a match between the two managers with the best record in the Premier League.
“Sir Alex Ferguson is not here anymore and tomorrow between the two managers we are speaking about I think six or seven Premier League titles, I’m not sure. I have three I think and Mr Wenger has three.
“Does that mean we should be respective even in periods where our results are not the best? I think Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you, I don’t think I have.”
ARSENE WENGER ON JOSE MOURINHO
“I won against every manager in the world during my 20 years here. I do not make these games a competition between two managers, it’s between two clubs.
“It’s not the controversy that makes the audience, it’s the quality of the game.
“It is a top level game and will be watched all over the world.”