The Premier League starts with a big game this Sunday, Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford. These two important teams in English football, with deep history and a strong rivalry, meet in what seems like it will be a thrilling game. Man United aims to bounce back after a hard 2024/25 season (they ended 15th very surprisingly), now with a changed team.

Arsenal enters as constant title fighters, ending 2nd for the third year in a row and set to finally win the top spot.

The excitement is through the roof – we’ll see high-profile debuts (United’s Šeško, Mbeumo, Cunha; Arsenal’s Rice, Zubimendi, Gyökeres), tactical chess matches between Rúben Amorim and Mikel Arteta, and 90 minutes of top-tier football.

Form Guide

Manchester United

It’s a fresh start that the Red Devils desperately need. Last season’s league campaign was dismal by their standards, with inconsistent form especially away, and a run that saw them fail to win back-to-back league games even once all year. In their final 6 matches of 2024/25, United lost four times (L W L L L W form), though they did sign off with a solid 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Defensive lapses hurt them; United conceded in 5 of those 6 games (9 goals against total). Over the summer, United looked better, going unbeaten in five preseason games and even winning a friendly tournament, which should boost confidence. Historically, United love opening day – 22 wins on Premier League MD1 is a record.

At home, they also have a strong record versus Arsenal in the long view, but recent years haven’t been kind. United have not beaten Arsenal in their last six attempts (in league and cup). The last league meeting at Old Trafford ended 1-1 in March. With the home crowd behind them and new players eager to impress, United will be aiming to show that their form woes are behind them.

Arsenal

The Gunners were outstanding for large parts of last season, only to stumble at critical moments. They had a late-season blip (three consecutive defeats) that effectively handed the title to Man City again. Still, they recovered some pride with a draw and two wins in their final three games, securing 2nd place.

Arsenal’s recent form (counting end of last season and friendlies) has been a bit mixed. They won a few preseason matches comfortably and lost a couple. Crucially, they ended preseason with a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, a performance that would please Arteta.

Arsenal’s defense, like United’s, wasn’t airtight late last season (goals conceded in 5 of last 6 matches), which is something they’ll want to improve. In this particular fixture, Arsenal have grown in confidence – they’ve avoided defeat in their last half-dozen meetings against Man Utd. They also tend to find the net at Old Trafford routinely (scoring in every league visit for over a decade). All signs point to an Arsenal side that believes it can get a result, even on tough away grounds.

Considering both teams’ form, neither would be unhappy with a draw here. United are rebuilding and Arsenal are away at a traditionally tough venue. A stalemate could be on the cards if both sides cancel each other out.

Manchester United vs Arsenal: Predicted XI

Manchester United (3-4-1-2): Andre Onana; Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu; Bruno Fernandes; Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško.

Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.

In summary, United’s XI is full of potential but untested combinations, whereas Arsenal’s XI is closer to last season’s proven core with a couple of additions. This could lead to phases of the game where one side is figuring things out while the other tries to capitalize.

Betting Opportunities and Odds

Match Result Odds: As of now, StarBet tag Arsenal as slight favorites despite being away. Arsenal are favorites at about 1.80, the Draw is around 3.70, and Man United to win is roughly 4.10.

• Draw (Full Time): If you agree with a balanced outcome, the straight draw bet provides a good return. This fixture has seen its share of stalemates historically (the most common result between Man U and Arsenal is 1-1 with 10 instances). Neither team would be devastated with a point from their opening game, so a cautious approach could very well lead to a draw.
• Draw + Both Teams to Score: For a bit more value, you could bet on “Draw and Yes for BTTS”, essentially predicting a score draw (like 1-1, 2-2, etc.). Given both teams have attacking talent and some defensive rustiness, a 1-1 draw is quite plausible. That combination often pays higher. Remember, both teams have scored against each other frequently and each has been conceding goals in recent games.
• Double Chance or Handicap: If you want a safer bet leaning toward a draw, you could take Man United/Draw (1X double chance) or Arsenal/Draw (X2). The 1X covers United or Draw – it’s effectively betting against Arsenal winning. This might suit those who think United won’t lose at home.

Always check our football betting page for updated odds, and remember that markets may move as team news emerges.

Manchester United vs Arsenal: Prediction

Our Prediction: 1-1 Draw. It’s genuinely tough to separate these two sides in this opening fixture. Both have plenty of quality, but also a few question marks. We foresee a scenario where each team dominates one half and, in the end, they share the spoils. Manchester United, buoyed by their home support, might start on the front foot.

Expect a high-tempo opening from United – pressing Arsenal’s backline and trying to unleash the likes of Mbeumo or Diallo down the flanks. Arsenal, though, have the composure and technical ability to weather that storm. As the first half progresses, Arsenal’s midfield trio could start to dictate play, slowing things down and probing for openings with Ødegaard’s creativity.

In the end, a 1-1 draw feels right – a result that reflects the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. Arsenal extend their unbeaten run against United, and United show improvement from last season by holding a top team. Honours even to start the season, which, while not the ideal outcome for either, wouldn’t be a disaster.

For more data‑driven insights, explore the prediction & statistics section on StarBet.

How to Bet on StarBet

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3. Deposit money securely via one of our approved payment methods.
4. Navigate to the football section and select PSG vs Tottenham.
5. Pick your market and stake, confirm your bet and watch the game unfold!

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