ARSENAL v MANCHESTER UNITED
FA Cup
Friday 25th January 2019
Kickoff: 1955hrs
Pick: Manchester United AH0
Bookmaker: bet365
Odds: 2.04 (odds taken at 13:04 GMT, 24 Jan 2019)
The 4th round ties of the FA Cup will be played this weekend but we have a mouth-watering double-header on Friday night starting with an all-Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United as the betting tips continue…
Arsenal Prediction
Despite an early hiccup at the start of this season as Arsene Wenger handed over the reins at The Emirates Stadium to in-coming manager Unai Emery which saw Arsenal lose their first two matches of the season to Manchester City and Chelsea, it seemed that Emery had re-found Arsenal’s mojo as The Gunners then embarked upon a seven match winning streak.
That seven-match winning streak evolved into an impressive 14-match sequence without defeat and Arsenal were finally starting to make the non-believers sit up and take notice. However, three wins from their subsequent seven matches including defeats to Southampton, Liverpool and West Ham have seen Arsenal return to type and they may have to settle for a Europa League qualifying spot this season after all.
That said, Arsenal showed signs of life again last weekend when they beat London rivals, Chelsea, 2-0 at home so they’ll head into this 4th round FA Cup tie against Manchester United with renewed belief.
Arsenal recorded an easy 3-0 win away at League One outfit Blackpool to reach this 4th round stage.
Key-Facts – Arsenal v Manchester United
- Arsenal have won just 3 of their last 7 Premier League matches
- Manchester United have won their last 7 matches on the trot
- 4 players for United have scored 8 goals apiece so far this season
Manchester United Prediction
Manchester United continued their impressive sequence of results under caretaker-manager and former player, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Red Devils recorded a seventh win on the trot for the Norwegian manager who has been instrumental in turning around a stolid, dour and unimaginative squad of players into one resembling that of former swashbuckling sides under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Solskjaer vowed to bring back exciting football and he’s certainly kept his word as he’s found a way of re-inventing the likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford who have been catalysts to United’s impressive turnaround in form.
Under Solskjaer and either home or away, Manchester United have looked a totally different side to that wheeled out by former boss Jose Mourinho, and the notable win away at Tottenham proved that the transformation is well on its way to being a resounding success.
However, as good as United have been, they arguably face their biggest test yet in the shape of Arsenal who have won the FA Cup on numerous occasions, but the visitors’ winning momentum could well seal the deal in this fascinating cup-tie.
Following their humiliating 3-1 loss at Liverpool which sealed Mourinho’s fate, United have won their subsequent three away matches on the trot, scoring 8 goals and conceding just 1 in reply. The visitors also possess a quality quartet consisting of Pogba, Lukaku, Martial and Rashord, all of whom have scored 8 goals so far this season.
Betting Tips Verdict
Arsenal’s win over Chelsea was a massive win for The Gunners while Manchester United are almost back to their best under Solskjaer – this will be tight but I fancy the visitors could just shade this one.
