Arsenal-Manchester United Champions League Preview

Arsenal v Manchester United

Tuesday 5 May 2009,

Emirates Stadium

Kickoff: 19:45

Arsenal

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the first leg of this Champions League semifinal fixture.

So far in this season's Champions League, Arsenal have won five, drawn three, and lost three, scoring 16 goals and conceding eight so far.

The Gunners will be without Gael Clichy and Eduardo for the match, whilst Mikael Silvestre is a doubt. Striker Robin van Persie is also fighting to be fit for this match, and a last minute decision will be made on his fitness.

Arsenal will also be without Andrey Arshavin, who is cup-tied this season.

Manchester United

The 1-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford last week was Manchester United's fifth in this season's Champions League, with the Red Devils posting five victories and six draws, with no losses so far.

Man Utd have scored 14 goals and conceded five up to this point.

Manchester United have received a boost with the news that central defender Rio Ferdinand should be fit for this match after picking up a rib injury in the first leg. Man Utd, however, will be without Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves.

Prediction

Manchester United's 1-0 win last week has put them in the driver's seat of this fixture, in spite of the Red Devils having had the potential to put more goals in the back of the Arsenal net if it weren't for an impressive performance by Gunners' goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

The weekend matches saw both teams post convincing victories over weaker sides, but as both managers rested key players, the results may have little impact on the upcoming fixture.

Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates earlier this season in the Premier League, and have been relatively dominant over the Red Devils at home in recent years, winning two and drawing two in their last four seasons.

In spite of this, Manchester United have scored in their last three meetings at the Gunners' home ground, which may prove a worry for Arsene Wenger's men.

Arsenal will likely play at the Emirates with the confidence that they lacked in much of the first tie against United, but whether this will be enough to secure victory remains to be seen, with Man Utd in fine form and poised to secure their third successive Premier League title.

The two teams go into this fixture as extremely evenly matched with the bookmakers, and it may take moments of brilliance from the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott, and Cesc Fabregas for Arsenal, or Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, and Ronaldo for Manchester United in order to settle this brilliant semifinal tie between two of England's all-time greatest clubs.

READ the complete preview with the best odds for the match at the Arsenal vs Manchester United odds and preview page now!

Then read our other Champions League semi-final preview at the Chelsea vs Barcelona page at Sports Betting Review.