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FA Cup quarter-finals don't come much bigger than a meeting between the Premier League's top two clubs, but that's exactly what we have here as Manchester United host Arsenal in a mouthwatering tie that has gained extra significance in the last 10 days or so.

For United it's a chance to put the back-to-back league defeats behind them that has seen the title race blown wide open. The Gunners of course are United's chief threat in that title race, but after losing the Carling Cup Final and being knocked-out of the Champions League in midweek, there is extra pressure on Arsene Wenger's men to keep alive two chances of winning a piece of silverware for the first time in nearly six years.

Nemanja Vidic will return to the United back-line following his one-game suspension but his central-defensive partner Rio Ferdinand is again expected to be absent. Nani is also expected to miss out after suffering a gashed leg against Liverpool meaning Ryan Giggs could start on the left of a four-man midfield. Darren Fletcher may move to the right flank for this one, a position he hasn't occupied in a long time.

Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas as they try to improve on a recent record of just one win in 10 meetings against United (seven defeats in that time), though in-form striker Robin van Persie is fit. Manuel Almunia will deputise in goal for the injured Wojciech Szczesny.


Match Odds: Man Utd 2.0, Arsenal 4.2, The Draw 3.7

I fancy Man Utd to win this for a number of reasons, none more so than their current form at Old Trafford and Arsenal's poor away form in recent months.

United's three recent league defeats all came away from home, which is no surprise as the Red Devils have looked pretty ordinary at times on their travels. But on home soil they have arguably been as good as at any time during Sir Alex Ferguson's 25-year reign as manager. From the 20 games played at the Theatre of Dreams this season (all competitions), 17 of them have resulted in a victory for United with the other three ending in draws. Their goal difference for those 20 games is + 34 and they've kept 11 clean sheets in that time. Meanwhile, Arsenal's last away victory in any competition was as far back as January 19th when they beat Championship side Leeds in round three of this same competition. Since then they've failed to beat Newcastle and Leyton Orient, lost to Ipswich in the Carling Cup, and of course, suffered thta midweek defeat to Barcelona.

In a bizarre way a victory for United might suit Arsenal - the Gunners will have just the league to concentrate on and plenty of rest between games, whereas United will still be challenging for three trophies; fixture congestion could become a problem as the title race reaches its conclusion. Of course, Arsenal won't set out to lose this game, but a loss is exactly what I see them taking away from it.


Over/Under 2.5 Goals

You're a better judge than me if you can confidently predict which outcome will prevail in this market. From the last six encounters between Man Utd and Arsenal, Over 2.5 Goals (available to back at 2.04 this time) and Under 2.5 Goals (1.96) occurred three times each, whereas in recent cup meetings alone - including the Community Shield - it's also three apiece. United and Arsenal's last 10 encounters averaged 2.7 goals per game, but in the last three seasons, that average drops to just 2.3 goals per game.

It really is a difficult call and perhaps this market is best tackled In-Play with the advice being to back Under 2.5 Goals if United score first during the first half. I'm not confident that Arsenal will find it easy getting back in the game, and with United having a Champions League fixture in midweek, I don't see them going all out for a hatful of goals either.


Man Utd Clean Sheet?

Ignoring the Carling Cup where Sir Alex tends to field much weakened teams, United have played 10 cup games this season in the Champions League and FA Cup and they've kept an impressive eight clean sheets, conceding just two goals in over 900 minutes of football. The Gunners may be free-scoring against average defences, but in the Premier League this term they've already failed to score in games against the other three occupants of the top four - Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea.

As mentioned earlier, Vidic will be back to strengthen the United backline, and whether he partners Ferdinand or Chris Smalling in central defence I rate the 'Yes' option in this market at 2.96 my best bet of the game. Fabregas missing from the Arsenal midfield is a huge blow and I don't envisage his team-mates getting many chances in front of goal.


Best Bet: Back Yes at 2.96 to Man Utd Clean Sheet
Back Man Utd to beat Arsenal at 2.0

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