This weekend’s top matchup in the Premier League, at least from a brand awareness stand point, is Arsenal at Manchester United. While this year’s edition of Arsenal FC are indeed living up to the reputation of the club, United are the polar opposite. The Gunners are fighting it out with Manchester City for the league title.
United are very likely to finish with their worst ever showing in the Premier League.
Arsenal at Manchester United FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. May 12 4:30 pm, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK
Team News: Man United 1 Man United 2 Arsenal
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Position, Form: Arsenal 1st, 83 pts, WWWWL Man United 8th, 54 pts, LDWDD
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 69% Draw 17% Man United 14%
With that said, pretty much no one believes that United are going to win on Sunday, or even manage a draw. But you know what, hey, that is why play the games.
In very recent memory, whenever these two sides got together, it was considered a matchup of two big clubs who had fallen off a cliff. The North Londoners have regained their footing, so maybe someday, under the new leadership of INEOS, United will as well.
Starting XI Predictions
Man Utd
Andre Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund
Arsenal
David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter.