An Old Trafford Showdown
Manchester United entertain Arsenal this weekend for Saturdays early morning game, kick off 845am EST, in what should be a very intriguing encounter. This meeting should be a showcase of the might and power of these two EPL giants. However, nothing could be further from the truth as both show huge signs of weakness that the rest of the clubs in the league are beginning to understand and understand how to exploit them. My analysis of both teams is going to be harsh so fans of the two clubs may want to turn away now!
Where better to start picking these two teams apart than with the home side in this contest. United are in defensive shambles with a complete inability to keep a clean sheet. Their defence is an aging unit lacking speed and their midfield seems incapable of giving them any protective barrier against opposition attacks. The last few seasons had seen Sir Alex Ferguson attempt to adopt a more cautious continental approach to their style of play. Defensive strength was at the forefront of their game playing as they looked to squeeze the offensive threat out of teams and to win the game in a low scoring encounter. Sir Alex is no fool though as you do not have the incredible success in football that he has achieved without knowing the game inside out. He has quickly realized that this season he doesn’t have the personnel to play this type of game. Their last 8 EPL games has seen the over 2.5 goals ticket cash, with 6 of those winning on an over 3.5 goal line. Every home game at Old Trafford this season has seen that 3.5 goal line hit with 20 goals in those four games. If United are to win any game it will more than likely be in a shoot out and who wouldn’t play like that with Rooney and Van Persie on your side?
The managers have a mutual respect for each other given their tremendous achievements within the game. Respect does not always bring friendship though and over the years the two teams have been embroiled in some spikey encounters. Sir Alex is the master of the mind games and knows exactly which pressure points to push on Wenger in both the run up to the game and on matchday itself. The managers technical area is no place for the feint hearted when these clubs meet.
8 of the last 11 meetings between these two sides has seen the over 2.5 goal bet landed, including last seasons ridiculous 8-2 United win at Old Trafford. Arsenal have won just once in their last ten visits to United and only one of the last seven overall meetings between the two clubs. The trend is clearly towards United dominating this fixture and I see nothing changing here. I like the look of the home win here for sure as I cannot trust Arsenal on the road in such a highly pressurized environment. This is Van Persie’s first game against Arsenal and I sense RVP netting and the camera panning across to a very dejected looking Wenger. With plenty of poor defending sure to be about I love the overs on the 3 goal line as I cannot see either side keeping a clean sheet and expect a scoreline of around 3-1 to the home team.
