Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction

The Premier League title race starts to heat up this weekend, as a rejuvenated Manchester City travel to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a bid to spoil their Premier League ambitions for the third year in a row.

After their disastrous spell before and during Christmas, Pep Guardiola’s side have recovered well, and have been defeated just once in their last nine games, and finding themselves back in the top four, can still consider themselves as rank outsides for the title.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been churning out results effectively, and haven’t lost in the league since November, a string of results which sees them in second place, six points behind Liverpool.

Should Arsenal lose, they would fall to nine points behind the leaders, while also having played a game more than them. However, should City lose, they could drop out of the top four once more if one of Chelsea, Newcastle or Bournemouth pick up a win.

As a crucial game at the top of the Premier League approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Arsenal have the second best home record in the league this season, picking up 25 points in 11 games, one behind Liverpool after the same number.
• Of their last six wins in all competitions, Arsenal have won three by one goal, emphasising their ability to win even when not at their best.
• Man City have scored 16 goals in their last five competitive games.
• Of their last five games against Arsenal, three have ended level after 90 minutes, with Guardiola’s side winning just one.

Arsenal Preview

Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): David Raya (GK); Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber; Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Ethan Nwaneri; Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli.

While they haven’t been at their free-flowing best in recent weeks, Arsenal have shown that they are more than capable of picking up results when struggling. Whilst they have been knocked out of the Carabao and FA Cups in the last month, their league form hasn’t faltered, depicted by their gutsy win over Wolves last time out despite Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial sending-off.

Whilst missing Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White, the Gunner’s stop-gap solutions have performed admirably. Martinelli has filled Saka’s right wing position well, while Timber has made Ben White’s right-back position his own.

Questions are still being asked about Havertz’ finishing as a centre forward, but having scored more than last season tally already, the questions don’t run too deep. However, Arsenal cannot afford to be playing at anything less than 100% when City come to town, as Pep’s revitalised squad looks more than capable of derailing their title ambitions.

Manchester City Preview

Manchester City Predicted Lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson (GK); Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, John Stones; Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic; Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Erling Haaland.

Having just about secured their passage through to the Champions League knockout play-off round, Man City now know they don't have to play another European game for two weeks, allowing them to focus fully on domestic matters.

And what a matter it is. This game against Arsenal has the potential to define their season; win, and they are well and truly cemented back in the top four; lose and they could drop to seventh.

Pep has a squad with the ability to beat any team in the world on the right day, but results in recent months have shown us that such confidence can sometimes be misplaced. Arsenal pose a supremely tough test, and Man City will need to put in the away performance of a lifetime to maintain their dim hopes of a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 22/09/2024: Man City 2-2 Arsenal.
• 31/03/2024: Man City 0-0 Arsenal.
• 08/10/2023: Arsenal 1-0 Man City.
• 06/08/2023: Man City 1-1p Arsenal.
• 26/04/2023: Man City 4-1 Arsenal.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Betting Tip

After a fiery 2-2 draw in September, which saw City camp in the Arsenal half for the entire second period and net an added time equaliser after Trossard was sent off, expectations for this game are high.

With the two sides in such stubborn form, neither will want to give an inch to the other, and we reckon they will cancel each other out. That is why we are backing a draw at full time.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Final Prediction

Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City

It will be another tense, high-octane affair, and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if another red card was shown. However, recent history states that they will play each other to a stalemate, albeit a fascinating one.