Sunday 21th January 2007
Current Betting Odds:
Arsenal 2.50 Draw 3.10 Manchester Utd. 2.60
There once was a time where football betting on Manchester United and Arsenal was a sure thing. Constant encounters in the Community Shield highlighted both teams' ability and had a knock-on effect of success in the Premier League and FA Cup.
There has been a slight dip as of late, both teams seemingly succumbing to the lucrative activities at Chelsea. But the current season sees bets again being placed on these two greats. With both hitting their top form at the right time, the weekend's outcome is nothing but a close call.
Arsenal start the game after a prolific two-week spell. A double whammy victory over third place Liverpool in the FA and Carling Cups (1-3 and 3-6), as well as a convincing 0-2 win over Blackburn Rovers, enhances their impressive 24 goal difference advantage.
Manchester United too enter into the match with an impressive back catalogue of results. Five wins from the last six in all competitions clearly show why the reds are both currently topping the league and remain the bookies favourites to stay there.
The Reds last two fixtures saw them meet Aston Villa in succession, in both the FA Cup and League. Despite a determined performance from Villa in the Cup, and albeit a less than clinical line up in the League, the Devils comfortably surfaced victors.
But in spite of their impressive win rate, United continue to be far than faultless in defence, conceding in all five of their last games. And against a back-to-best Thierry Henry and robust Robin Van Persie, odds suggest a possible goal frenzy.
The pair last met back near the dawn of the 2006/2007 season in September where the Gunners forced a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, Emmanuel Adebayor with the winner.
This weekend's fixture will be the 200th meeting in the clubs histories in all competitions, with the Northerners boasting the better record (80 wins from 199). Arsenal fall slightly short with 75 wins, while the final 44 encounters have ended in a stalemate.
In recent results, United have won 5 of the last 11, Arsenal victorious in three including the 2004/2005 FA Cup Final, 5-4 on penalties. The final three produced draws. And again with the prospect of the League title and Champion's League places, a highly contested battle awaits.
A loss for Arsenal, in the current League standings, would be much more damaging than a defeat for the visitors though. Lying in a precarious fourth place, a mere two points ahead of Bolton Wanderers in fifth, a defeat, or draw, could see them slip down the table and out of the coveted Champion's League places.
The League leaders, however, are sitting pretty with a nice 6-point cushion between them and second place Chelsea. Leaving the Emirates Stadium, therefore, with a point could be considered acceptable.
Previous form tells us Arsenal's failings typically occur in the first 45 minutes, with their first half performances only placing them in ninth position. Their second half regeneration, however, would see them soar to the top spot on a worthy 53 points. Should the visitors seek victory, they would be best launching their bid early in the game.
United remain consistent throughout the whole 90 minutes sticking in second place. From a betting perspective expect a hungry start by the visitors, with Ronaldo potentially adding to his goal tally of 13.
And remember, despite Arsenal's excellent second half performance record, Manchester United can never be written off in getting one of their infamous injury time goals.
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