MANCHESTER UNITED
VS
ARSENAL
17th May, 2015; 16-00 GMT
Old Trafford, Manchester
Manchester United play hosts to Arsenal in Sundaya s Premier League game at Old Trafford in what will essentially be a fight for 3rd place.
Manchester United, after going through a 3 game losing streak, managed to win against Crystal Palace and confirm 4th spot in the league table. However, they will want to secure automatic qualification and do away with the need for a qualifier ahead of a new season so that they have no problem in signing up players who will all be looking for a guarantee of Champions League football. If they can take points off Arsenal, they will still be in with a chance of finishing top 3
After the defeat against Swansea City, Arsenala s 10 game unbeaten run has come to an end. But what is more worrying for the Gunners is that they could end up finishing 4th yet again, if they dona t win their remaining games. While another possible FA Cup win is definitely enticing, not finishing second would definitely be disappointing, and finishing 4th once again would actually be revolting for the fans, who will see it as no progress made. They will take heart from the win in the FA Cup against United and will want to repeat the same once again.
Team News and Tactics
Manchester United
Louis van Gaal would be looking at the FA Cup defeat to the gunners to plot revenge in the league. More importantly, he will be hoping that his players dona t commit any mistakes and give away easy goals, like the one Welbeck scored. The manager has an injury headache though, with Carrick and Rafael still out, and Wayne Rooney, who has been influential all season, out as well.
Robin van Persie and Marcus Rojo are a doubt as well, with Luke Shaw having problems too, although he will likely start the game. With both strikers not fully fit, Van Gaal could be forced to lead the line with Radamel Falcao, and hope that Mata, Fellaini and Herrera can cause enough damage against the Arsenal defence.
Expected Line up: De Gea; Shaw, Smalling, Jones, Valencia; Blind; Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata; Falcao.
Arsenal
For Arsenal, this is another chance to show that they no longer have to worry when playing big clubs. Since January, they have been on a great run of form that was only broken up by Swansea last week. They will want to make that run count by finishing second, and for that to happen, they will need to beat Manchester United and make their game in hand count.
Arsene Wenger is without Mathieu Debuchy, Arteta and Olade-Chamberlain, with Danny Welbeck also facing fitness problems. Aaron Ramsey will almost definitely get back to his position on the right, and the rest of the team is likely to be the same as has been for the last 5 weeks, with no surprises expected
Expected Line up: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin; Sanchez, Ozil, Ramsey; Giroud.
Key Facts
- In the Premier League, Arsenal have come away with wins in their last 5 away games.
- The strikers from both teams are having a problem scoring goals at the moment.
Prediction
While both teams will be out there to try and win, Arsenal seem to have the more settled side and will likely be more motivated to prove a point of finishing anything above second place. They will likely repeat their win in the FA Cup, with a similar scoreline.
Predicted Score: Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
