Man Utd v Arsenal highlights the weekend Premier League TV games
Published:Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | February 26, 2016
Football fans are in for a treat this weekend, as not only is there the Capital One Cup final to view but also three televised Premier League clashes too.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the top-flight duels is between old foes Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Saturday sees West Ham United host Sunderland and Crystal Palace entertain West Bromwich Albion.
Read on for our previews of the three games…
West Ham United v Sunderland
- Premier League
- Saturday, February 26th
- Kick-off: 12:45 GMT
- Upton Park, east London
- Live on BT Sport 1
Hammers to knock down Black Cats
Both West Ham (17/20 favourites) and Sunderland (7/2) come into this clash in similar vein of form, having won just once and lost two of their previous five fixtures in the Premier League.
A draw at 13/5 could be a tempting result at Upton Park, as the duo have shared the spoils in four of their last seven meetings, including back in October this campaign.
However, the Hammers come into this duel on the back of thrashing Blackburn Rovers 5-1 in the FA Cup, with their key man Dimitri Payet showing just why he was recently rewarded with a lucrative new contract.
Perfect Payet to punish Sunderland once more
The Frenchman may be continuously overlooked by his nation these days. But, he is one of the in-form stars of the English top flight and he is a terrific 6/4 to net anytime to follow up from his double at Ewood Park and equaliser against the Black Cats earlier this season.
Emmanuel Emenike, meanwhile, also bagged a brace against Blackburn, and he is a 6/5 chance in the same market.
Former England striker Jermain Defoe has been one of the few shining lights for Sunderland this term, getting an impressive 13 goals, and he has made a habit of scoring late particularly most recently. Back him, therefore, at a tempting 7/1 to net last, or 2/1 to dispatch anytime.
With West Ham in with a great chance of qualifying for Europe next season, which would be the perfect prize when moving into their new Olympic Stadium, they’ll certainly be up for the occasion. Sunderland are at the other end of the table in the relegation zone, so will also give it their all, but back the hosts to edge it with a 2-1 win at 7/1.
West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace
- Premier League
- Saturday, February 26th
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Draw on the cards at The Hawthorns
In the second live Premier League match of the day, Crystal Palace will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a huge drop in form, losing six and winning none of their last nine top-tier games, has seen them slip to 13th.
The Eagles (15/8 slight favourites) will be slightly more spirited by the fact that the Baggies (17/10) have defeated them just once in their last seven meetings at The Hawthorns in all competitions, and will hope to get one over their former boss Tony Pulis. A draw is 21/10.
Palace won 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in October, thanks to goals from star men Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye, and you can back the duo respectively at 7/4 and 10/3 to net again anytime. The former is more likely to start on the bench, though, ahead of his return from injury.
Adebayor to strike again?
New signing Emmanuel Adebayor struck in the 2-1 home loss to Watford, and so is also 7/4 in the same market, while defender Martin Kelly (12/1) will be hoping to follow up from his surprise winner away to Tottenham in the FA Cup.
West Brom sit just below the Eagles in the table, but only on goal difference, and their victory at Everton last time out certainly eased the pressure off them to go eight points clear of the drop zone.
Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon lead the way for the Baggies this term in front of net with six strikes apiece and are 6/4 and 7/4 respectively in the anytime market.
In terms of injuries, Jonny Evans is a big doubt for the hosts, but Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson look likely to be fit after knocks too. For Palace, Jason Puncheon, James McArthur and the suspended Pape Souare miss out, but Bakary Sako could return.
Manchester United v Arsenal
- Premier League
- Sunday, February 27th
- Kick-off: 14:05 GMT
- Old Trafford, Manchester
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Plenty to play for at Old Trafford
Before the Capital One Cup final on the same day, Man Utd host Arsenal in the Premier League and surely must win if they are to have any hope of finishing in the top four this term.
The Red Devils (11/5) will be buoyed by their 5-1 thrashing of Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, while the Gunners (11/8 favourites) were outclassed by Barcelona at the Emirates in the Champions League, losing 2-0.
In the past Man Utd have usually enjoyed facing Arsenal, but have not won in their last three meetings. With a number of injuries to first team players totally into double figures, a draw is a decent shout at 9/4.
Will new hero Rashford start again?
Young debutant Marcus Rashford had to step up to the plate when Anthony Martial suffered a hamstring problem during the warm-up in midweek, and justified his place in the XI by bagging a brilliant brace. The Manchester-born teenager is 2/1 to net anytime again.
Memphis Depay (also 2/1), meanwhile, was the star of the show that day, and finally looked his worth by being involved in much of the action and getting on the scoresheet at the end too.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are chasing their first league title since 2003/04 and will hope to keep up the pace on table-toppers Leicester City and north London rivals Spurs.
They beat Louis van Gaal’s men convincingly 3-0 in the reverse fixture this season, with Alexis Sanchez hitting a double, so back the Chilean in the anytime market at 2/1.
Former Man Utd forward Danny Welbeck is back after a long layoff, and struck the winner on his return in the crucial battle with the Foxes. He also scored last against his old club last season in the FA Cup and is 6/1 to do so once more.
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Coral’s top tip: Rashford is a terrific 2/1 to score anytime against Arsenal.