Manchester City vs. Arsenal – Betting Tips and Premier League Preview

This is the game that everyone is expecting this weekend. City lost in a surprising manner against Newcastle and their title chances took a huge blow, although Liverpool couldn’t capitalize and drew with Leicester. Pep Guardialoa’s side has to win this one if they want to remain close to the first place. Arsenal managed to sneak into the top four after beating Cardiff at home and overtaking Chelsea who lost 4-0 to Bournemouth. However, the Gunners have been in bad form away from home recently, having won none of their last five league games away from The Emirates.

Team News

Ederson was having problems with his leg in midweek, but seeing as Claudio Bravo is also injured, the Brazilian will most likely play. Benjamin Mendy wasn’t used against Newcastle but could make an appearance for this match.

Arsenal have many injury problems of their own. Hector Bellerin underwent surgery and will be out for a while. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was out for the game against Cardiff, but Emery will definitely want him fit for this one. Laurent Koscielny is another defender who might miss out because of an injury to his jaw. If Koscielny doesn’t start, then that means Nacho Monreal will have to play in the hearth of the defence next to Mustafi. Denis Suarez joined the Gunners on loan in the last day of the transfer window and he could make his debut from the bench against one of his former clubs.

Prediction

Arsenal are unpredictable against the top teams this season, but everything in this match is pointing against them. They lost the last four games against City in all competitions, scoring just in one of them. Manchester City is the best home team in the league, having lost just once at The Etihad. If we add that to Arsenal’s unimpressive away record and all the injured defenders they have, then a win for the home side seems the most logical outcome. However, the odds for that are really small, so we suggest betting on over 2.5 goals and City to win (@33/50) or both teams to score and City to win (@7/5).