Premier League Preview – Arsenal vs Manchester United, Sunday 10th March 2019

After very different mid-week trips to France, can Arsenal or Man United gain the upper hand in the race for 4th place?

United should be riding high after their Parisian miracle on Wednesday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s lads went into their 2nd leg against PSG needing to do what no side had done before: come back from a 2 goals-plus loss at home to progress through the Champions League knockout stages.

And yet...they only bloody did it! A first half brace from Romelu Lukaku – who has rediscovered his form at just the right time – and, crucially, a composed 94th minute penalty from Marcus Rashford, cancelled out Bernat’s 12th minute equaliser, sending United through on away goals.

When Arsenal travelled to France on Thursday they had a far easier aim in mind: come away from their Europa League last-32 1st leg fixture against mid-table Rennes with a nice lead to protect at the Emirates next week. Things started well, Alex Iwobi securing an away goal after just 4 minutes. But then Sokratis got sent off in the 41st minute, with Rennes equalising almost immediately after. An own goal from Nacho Monreal made matters worse, only for Ismaila Starr to cap an awful evening off with an 88th minute strike.

So, the two bitter rivals will be going into Sunday in very different headspaces. If United are to win, they’ll put 4 points between them and the Gunners, enhancing their chances of a top 4 finish; if Arsenal are victorious, then they’ll leapfrog the Manc side and slide into 4th place. They need to be wary of Chelsea, however; the Blues would overtake both teams if they win their unscheduled game in hand against Brighton.

Twice have the clubs met this season. In the league the honours were shared at Old Trafford, the Gunners twice giving up the lead; in the FA Cup, meanwhile, Arsenal slumped to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates. Despite this, the hosts still have the narrow advantage, perhaps because they haven’t lost a home league game since the first weekend of the season. Spreadex are offering an Arsenal/Man United Goal Supremacy spread of 0.05-0.25, alongside a Bookings spread of 46-50 and a Total Goals spread of 2.95-3.15.