Sunday represents another huge test of Manchester City’s title credentials as they host Arsenal at The Etihad Stadium. So far this season Manchester City have been almost perfect, dropping points in only one game in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side have already beaten Chelsea and Liverpool in the league as well as over coming Napoli twice in the Champions League. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side will represent another tough task on Sunday, but as ever with Arsenal you never know which side is going to turn in the big games. Arsenal were extremely poor against Liverpool back in August, losing 4-0, but then they turned in a solid display away at Chelsea in September during a 0-0 draw.
Premier League – Etihad Stadium, Manchester – Sunday 5th November – 14:15 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 21/5 at PaddyPower |
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Manchester City
ArsenalManchester City
Manchester City picked up a key victory against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night in a game which could have gone either way between two excellent attacking sides. Sergio Aguero became Manchester City’s record scorer in that game, but he could be in line for a place on the bench come Sunday if Pep Guardiola decides to go back to his first choice, Gabriel Jesus. Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy will miss the game through injury, but other than that, Guardiola has a fully fit squad to pick from.
Arsenal
Arsenal ended their run of four wins on the spin with a 0-0 draw against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night in a game in which Arsene Wenger made 11 changes to his side. The Gunners have been in great form recently though and previous to that game, they had won eight of their last nine matches, with their only defeat coming against Watford. Arsene Wenger has a number of injury concerns heading into the match though with Calum Chambers, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Shkodran Mustafi all in line to miss Sunday’s game.
Talking Points
1. Arsenal have won just one of their five away games in the league so far, the 13th best record in the Premier League.
2. Manchester City have scored 20 goals in their last four matches at The Etihad Stadium, including seven against Stoke City.
3. Manchester City have won just one of their last nine games against Arsenal in all competitions.
Prediction
The outcome of Sunday’s game could depend on which Arsenal side show up; will it be the team that lost 4-0 at Liverpool or the side that held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw? If it’s the first of those two, then Manchester City’s attacking players will be licking their lips at the prospect. Whatever happens on Sunday, I think it will be an exciting game and I think at the end of the day Manchester City are just too good for Arsenal and they will come out on top.
Betting Tips (Ladbrokes)
Manchester City start this game as big favourites at odds of 4/9, whilst an away win for Arsenal is priced up at 7/1 with the draw at 21/5. It’s not the easiest game to bet on this one, because even though I do think Manchester City will win, those odds of 4/9 really aren’t particularly appealing. Manchester City have been superb going forward this season and if that continues on Sunday, then the 11/10 available on them to win with a -1 handicap looks like a great bet.
Manchester City (-1) – 11/10 (Ladbrokes)