This weekend's match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford is not a title-decider as some of their past clashes were, but the Gunners can't afford to slip up if they are to extend their pursuit of leaders Liverpool into the final weeks of the season.
The Gunners have a double-figure points deficit to make up on the clear Premier League leaders and after taking only one point from their last two league matches, all three points will be required from their trip to Manchester.
United's 14th position in the table would have been unthinkable in the era when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's sides were battling it out in this fixture, but the hosts have lost only one of their last six matches in 90 minutes and their fans would relish a first league win over the Gunners since 2022.
The Red Devils knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in January and another lively encounter is in prospect when the match kicks off at 16:30 GMT on Sunday.
- ARSENAL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- OVER 4.5 CARDS
- ETHAN NWANERI FIRST GOALSCORER
Gunners Should Secure A Crucial Success
Arsenal have taken their fans on a rollercoaster ride of late, with the excitement of a thumping 5-1 win over Manchester City followed by a goal drought as their spate of attacking injuries began to bite, but they were in irresistible form in the Champions League on Tuesday, putting PSV Eindhoven to the sword in a 7-1 away win.
Nothing less than a win will do for Mikel Arteta's team if they are to avoid having to change their focus from trying to catch Liverpool to merely fending off Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea to keep hold of second place.
The extent of their stunning midweek Champions League success means Arteta can now choose to pick a strong team for this game and make any necessary adjustments for fatigue in the second leg of the European tie.
Arsenal also have the better scheduling situation, as they played on Tuesday whereas United were in Europa League action in Spain on Thursday night, when they drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad.
That was another solid result for the Red Devils, whose only defeat in their last six matches was a 1-0 loss to Spurs, although they wasted the opportunity provided by their FA Cup win at the Emirates when going out in a shootout themselves against Fulham last week.
United have lost more league games at Old Trafford than they have won this season and could succumb to another defeat, but they have scored in six of their last seven home matches. Both teams have scored in each of United's last four games and the hosts could grab a consolation goal.
ARSENAL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Old Trafford Fixture Could Be Feisty
There have been some notorious fixtures between these teams over the years and while United's fall from grace has lowered the pressure involved in their head-to-head battles, it would not be a surprise if there is an element of niggle to this fixture after their feisty FA Cup clash in London.
United defender Diogo Dalot was sent off after 61 minutes of that match in January after picking up his second yellow card of the match, while six other players were cautioned.
The teams' first meeting this season saw four yellow cards produced, three of them for United, whose defender Harry Maguire has been cautioned in both matches against Arsenal.
Match referee Anthony Taylor is not shy to wielding cards, sending off two players in Newcastle v Brighton last week, and he has officiated four games with at least eight cautions this season, so is unlikely to let card-worthy offences go unpunished.
OVER 4.5 CARDS
Young Gunner Is One To Watch
Ethan Nwaneri's sensational performances for Arsenal this season have led to talk of an England call-up for the 17-year-old and he could add another goal to his tally at Old Trafford.
Nwaneri notched Arsenal's second goal in Eindhoven, having earlier scored the final goal in the 5-1 home success over Manchester City and netting his team's winner in the 2-1 Champions League victory in Girona.
United have conceded the first goal in four successive home matches and could be vulnerable in the early stages again.
ETHAN NWANERI FIRST GOALSCORER
