Manchester United vs Arsenal Stats-Based Bet Builder Tips: Caution for Cunha in 9/1 four-fold

Arguably the pick of the Premier League's opening weekend games, Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday (16:30 BST, Sky Sports Main Event), with both sides looking to lay down a marker for the season.

Below are my Manchester United vs Arsenal Stats-Based Bet Builder Tips, with all four selections combining for a 9/1 payout.

Double Chance - Draw or Arsenal

Man United may have beaten the Gunners on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup in January, but the Red Devils haven't beaten their north London counterparts in regulation time of a competitive game since September 2022.

Mikel Arteta's side won the first four of those six matches before playing out a couple of 1-1 draws in the first half of this year.

Manchester United vs Arsenal Odds

Sunday's hosts ended the previous Premier League campaign with just one victory in their final nine games, which included an eight-match winless run. Ruben Amorim's charges finished 15th, 32 points behind runners-up Arsenal, who only lost two of their 19 away outings (W9, D8, L2).

There could be some early-season rustiness from the Gunners, who have failed to beat United twice already in 2025, so it may be wise to steer away from a Gunners victory this weekend, but it would be a huge surprise if they fell to a defeat, so backing them in the double chance should be a safe bet.

Total Goals Over/Under 2.5 - Under

This fixture hasn't produced many goals since the start of last year, with all four producing two or fewer strikes.

Arsenal triumphed 1-0 at Old Trafford in May 2024 and won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last December.

Today's Football Fixtures

Man United have taken the lead in both head-to-heads this year, but the Gunners hit back on both occasions, and both matches ended 1-1.

The Red Devils have assembled a new front three, signing Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but it may take the trio a while to get to grips with each other's games, so there could be teething problems this weekend, while Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres will still be getting used to how his teammates play following his summer move from Sporting.

Matheus Cunha (MUN) Total Shots on Target - 1+

Cunha has faced Arsenal three times before, all with his previous club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and ended up on the losing team on all three occasions.

However, the Brazilian has enjoyed individual success, of sorts.

Premier League Odds

In his first appearance against the Gunners, in December 2023, he struck a late consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, and saw one of his other two shots saved by David Raya.

The 26-year-old also faced Arsenal on the opening day of last season and was once again rebuffed by Raya in goal with his only shot of the game at the Emirates.

Cunha recorded four efforts in the reverse fixture at Molineux on January 25, with Raya keeping out two long-range strikes at goal. He'll be looking to make an instant impact in front of his new supporters on Sunday, so I'm backing Cunha to register a shot on target against Arsenal for the fourth consecutive game.

Player Shown Any Card - Matheus Cunha (MUN)

Cunha's a fabulously talented forward, but his temperament can be questioned at times. He averaged 1.3 fouls per game in the Premier League last season, and was whistled four times for upending an opponent in his last outing against Arsenal.

The Brazil international was booked four times in the league and received one red in two FA Cup appearances.

The previous season, Cunha was shown nine Premier League yellows, with one awarded against Arsenal for remonstrating with the referee.

Offers

Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

We will be Top Price on Arsenal to beat Man United with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison. (Available from 09:30 Sunday)

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

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