While nobody is expecting a repeat of the 8-2 score line when Arsenal and Manchester United last met there should still be goals at The Emirates this afternoon.
The Red Devils humiliation of their old rivals back in August will live long in the memory and the return fixture is always one of the most eagerly anticipated in the Premier League calendar.
Although gone are days when it was exclusively this duo jostling for the title, there is still plenty of significance attached to Sunday’s match in North London and even more so than usual given Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham just hours before.
January 22nd, indeed, could well turn out to be a pivotal date when the main prize is handed out in May and, while the match odds looks priced accordingly to me, I think another barnstormer is in store.
Games with Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson in opposing dugouts rarely disappoint and, with their current crops certainly better on the front foot than in defence, the latest instalment should be as enthralling as ever.
Arsenal, who started the season so poorly, have rallied under their French manager but they have become very reliant on the goals of Robin van Persie and if the Holland striker is not at his best, rare these days, admittedly, then the Gunner do lack for creativity.
Back-to-back Premier League defeats to Fulham and Swansea have hit their hopes of a top four finish hard but Champions League qualification is still within reach and adding to their points haul on Sunday, having seen Chelsea and Liverpool fail on Saturday, will be seen as a success.
United arrive in the capital still very much in the title race but this is the start of an extremely tough run of fixtures for the current champions and they, too, have stuttered of late.
Reversals at the hands of Blackburn and Newcastle were soon forgotten with the thumping of Bolton at Old Trafford but United still look suspect defensively and it would surprise if either side were to emerge on Sunday with a clean sheet at fulltime.
With both sides in need of a win, this must surely be an open encounter and the 1.66 freely available on both sides finding the net will do for me. It’s one not to miss and is the climax to what has been a magnificent weekend in the English top flight so far.
1pt Back Both Teams to Score (Arsenal vs. Man Utd) @ 1.66 (general)