ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - ARSENAL V MANCHESTER UNITED

English Premier

2007-11-03 - Arsenal vs Manchester United

A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner

The lunchtime kickoff on Saturday has a bit of a retro feel to it as Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates with the two teams filling the top two spots on the table.

Both sides have 26 points, and a goal difference of +15 to stand out from the pack - and Arsenal have the advantage of a game in hand.

ARSENAL

Arsenal have made every home game a winning one so far this season, although the quality of opposition has made that an easier achievement than normal - but by managing to beat these sides The Gunners have made an important step up from last season.

Arsenal Last 5 Home Form (5-0-0)
20/10/07 W 2-0 v Bolton
07/10/07 W 3-2 v Sunderland
22/09/07 W 5-0 v Derby
02/09/07 W 3-1 v Portsmouth
25/08/07 W 1-0 v Man_City

There is an age-old football saying that "you don't win much with kids" which is NEARLY always true - although this current crop of Arsenal youngsters are doing a good job in the early running.

But this game (along with the Liverpool match) are much sterner checks on the character of the team. The 1-1 draw at Anfield showed that they had the right stuff - now for test #2.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United made a slow start to the season - almost surely down to the absenses of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Since the return of both players it easy to see that United have been a much more potent side.

ManYoo's loss at fierce rivals Man City was a bit of a travesty with United having the lions share of possession and chances - but unfortunately most of them fell to the less than lethal Carlos Tevez.

Mind you, United then got the breaks to beat Everton at Goodison Park, so these things do have a way of working themselves out - and there is little doubt that the defending Champions are one of the best form sides in the league now.

Man_Utd Last 5 Away Form (3-1-1)
20/10/07 W 4-1 v Aston_Villa
29/09/07 W 1-0 v Birmingham
15/09/07 W 1-0 v Everton
19/08/07 L 0-1 v Man_City
15/08/07 D 1-1 v Portsmouth

HEAD TO HEAD

There is very little to choose between the sides usually - with three draws in the last five games.

Arsenal won last seasons match here at the Emirates coming back from a goal down to win 2-1, with a late winner from Henry - and also won up at Old Trafford thanks to the only goal from Adebayor.

Head to Head Form (1-3-1)
21/01/07 Arsenal 2-1 Man_Utd
03/01/06 Arsenal 0-0 Man_Utd
01/02/05 Arsenal 2-4 Man_Utd
28/03/04 Arsenal 1-1 Man_Utd
16/04/03 Arsenal 2-2 Man_Utd

THE VERDICT

I'm not going to try an pick a winner - as both sides have good arguements for why they can win - and whichever way I go will elicit abuse from the opposing fan base.

Typically these games between the "big four" are hyped up - and they fail to deliver the excitment and the goals - and this is reflected in the high price for over 2.5 goal being offered.

However, I feel that's a result of the more defensive approaches of both Liverpool and Chelsea, and there in London when Arsenal and United clash we usually do see action.

This season both Arsenal and United are attacking sides - and to my mind both sides will be looking to win this game rather than play dourly for a point.

I'm going for 3+ goals in the game.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

I "think" that Arsenal should be favoured - but that could be a fan bias - and it's hardly a banker bet.

However, I expect OVER 2.5 GOALS in this game - and I'm surprised to see it is the higher priced option at over evens.