The Premier League is back and the standout fixture from week one takes place on Sunday at Old Trafford. Manchester United may have struggled last season, but a significant number of big-money summer signings have left fans feeling more hopeful for next term.
Arsenal have also strengthened their squad, most notably in the striker position, where a lack of firepower has let them down in recent years. A season full of promise awaits for both of these clubs, but who will strike the first blow in this 4.30 pm, Super Sunday kick-off? Read on for our MUFC vs AFC preview with Premier League match betting tips
There are odds-against prices on all three possible outcomes in the match winner market with the bookies, but Arsenal will go into this game as favourites. The best industry odds on the away win stand at 21/20, while the draw is the next available option at a general 5/2. Completing the match result market is victory for Manchester United, which is available at a top price of 11/4.
Last season saw Arsenal finish in second place with 74 points. It was another creditable campaign for the Gunners, although they rarely looked like challenging eventual champions Liverpool. Manchester United, meanwhile, were way down in 15th with just 42 points. It is, however, a new season, with clean slates on both sides, and there are several new faces in either camp.
One of Arsenal’s new signings, striker Viktor Gyokeres, leads the way in the first goalscorer betting at 19/5. A former Coventry City forward, Gyokeres’ career came to life over two prolific seasons with Sporting Lisbon. Kai Havertz is next at 6/1, followed by Bukayo Saka at 7/1. Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko is also listed at 7/1 for the first goal. The Slovenian international was signed from RB Leipzig after scoring 13 goals in 33 Bundesliga matches last term.
Other contenders in this market could include Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli at 8/1, or Leandro Trossard at 19/2. Elsewhere, United’s other high profile signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, can both be backed at best odds of 10/1.
Saka has returned some profits for us in anytime markets in the past, and we’d also be interested in Mbeumo, who scored 20 times in the league for Brentford last season.
Continuing with our regular side bets, Both Teams to Score is on offer for Sunday’s game at a best of 3/4 but if you’re edging towards the ‘no’ option for BTTS, this can be claimed at 11/10.
Next, we’ll head across to the Total Goals markets, where a stake Over the 2.5 line will currently be met by odds of 4/5 in most places. If we move that up one notch to Over 3.5 goals, the numbers jump quite considerably to a best of 11/5. Those expecting a dull afternoon at Old Trafford can get evens on the Under 2.5 goal bet.
Correct Score options finish things off. The match odds point to a narrow away victory, so you may want to look at a 2-1 win for Arsenal at 17/2. The same scoreline in favour of Manchester United can be backed at 14/1, while the 1-1 draw is available at 13/2.
Our MUFC vs AFC Betting Tips Verdict For This Preview
It’s always tricky to predict the first games of a new season. Both of these sides have been involved in recent summer friendlies but we’re now talking about a serious competitive match. Arsenal and Manchester United welcome new arrivals, and they will head to Old Trafford with stronger squads, but there is always the danger that those players will take time to gel.
There’s no form to consider, but it’s worth looking at the head-to-head results from last season. In the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford from March this year, the teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal won at the Emirates in December, while another 1-1 draw, in the FA Cup in January, ended with Man Utd winning the tie on penalties.
Those outcomes tend to suggest another close game on Sunday, but we suspect Arsenal will edge home. The Gunners were solid last year, and with the signing of Gyokeres, they’ve looked to address their concerns up front.
MUFC have made the more significant changes to their squad. They were poor last term, and it will likely take a few weeks before the new arrivals bed in with the team. At this early stage of the campaign, Ruben Amorim’s side looks vulnerable and, in terms of betting tips, this preview is backing an Arsenal victory.
As always, there are other options. As mentioned, Saka and Mbeumo in the player markets look promising, while the 11/5 odds on over 3.5 goals seems generous. For the first week back, we’ll stick with the win markets, and get behind the Gunners.
Matt Harris is a football & golf writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 