This Sunday Old Trafford will host a Premier League opener as Manchester United take on Arsenal. Here is a look at the key stats form and predictions for the game.
Key Stats to Know:
Arsenal have a 46.3 percent chance of beating Manchester United according to Opta’s 10,000 match simulations
This is only the second time in English top-flight history that United host Arsenal in their season opener. The last meeting in 1989 90 ended with a 4 1 win for United
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League away games with 7 wins and 7 draws since a 1 0 loss at Newcastle in November
Recent Form:
Both teams ended last season on very different notes. United finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal’s title challenge faded but they finished second for the third consecutive season
Arsenal celebrate their 100th consecutive top-flight season and aim to start strong. They have won their opening league match in five of the last six seasons including the last three
Mikel Arteta has strengthened the squad with Viktor Gyökeres Martín Zubimendi and Noni Madueke as he looks to push for the title. Gyökeres scored 68 league goals across the last two seasons and could face his former Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim. Arsenal have scored in each of their last 11 Premier League visits to Old Trafford
United start Amorim’s first full season in charge at home and will look to build confidence after a poor last campaign. Their home record on opening day is the best in the league with 22 wins. Summer signings Matheus Cunha Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko strengthen the team but Bruno Fernandes will be key as he was United’s only scorer against top six teams at home last season
Head-to-Head:
United have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League home games against Arsenal with 10 wins and 6 draws. Both defeats happened under Arteta in November 2020 and May 2024
Overall United have won 99 of 243 meetings with Arsenal. A victory on Sunday would be their 100th
Prediction:
Opta simulations give Arsenal a 45.1 percent chance of winning. United are at 29.5 percent and a draw is 25.4 percent. Season projections suggest Arsenal could win the title in 24 percent of simulations and finish second 19.7 percent of the time. United are most likely to finish mid-table in 10th 12th or 13th place each at 7.4 percent
Likely Lineups:
Manchester United André Onana Leny Yoro Harry Maguire Ayden Heaven Amad Diallo Casemiro Bruno Fernandes Bryan Mbeumo Matheus Cunha Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal David Raya Jurriën Timber William Saliba Gabriel Magalhães Riccardo Calafiori Martin Ødegaard Martín Zubimendi Declan Rice Bukayo Saka Viktor Gyökeres Gabriel Martinelli
Opta Power Rankings:
The Opta Power Rankings rate over 13,000 teams worldwide on a scale from zero to 100. These rankings show each team’s strength ahead of the weekend clash
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