Manchester City vs Arsenal Betting Preview

Date & time: Sunday, December 18, 4:00 PM GMT

Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)

Head to head record

Arsenal vs Manchester City 3-2 (2016 Club Friendly)
Manchester City vs Arsenal 2-2 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Arsenal vs Manchester City 2-1 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Manchester City vs Arsenal 0-2 (2014/2015 Premier League)
Arsenal vs Manchester City 2-2 (2014/2015 Premier League)

Manchester City vs Arsenal prediction

Sunday’s clash at Eithad Stadium pits together Mnachester City and Arsenal, the two title-chasing teams. With only one point separating the two sides in the Premier League standings, a close encounter appears on the horizon.

Important win over Watford

Following back-to-back defeats to the likes of Chelsea and Leicester City, Aguero-less Manchester City did well to beat Watford in their last league match. The Argentine attacker remains on the sidelines through suspension and, in his absence, Kevin de Bruyne will be the man to watch in Pep Guardiola’s team. The Citizens are seven points behind league leaders Chelsea ahead of Sunday’s derby against Arsenal and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Arsene Wenger’s troops. Manchester City have been struggling at their Etihad Stadium of late and it has to be noted that they recorded only one win in previous five home matches. David Silva impressed in the 2-0 victory over Watford, meaning that the opposition defenders should have him at bay. His compatriot Nolito doesn’t seem to be on top of his game and there is every chance Nigerian rising star Iheanacho will lead the attack for the hosts against Arsenal.

Fernandinho and Kun Aguero both miss the game through suspension, whilst Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan are both sidelined with injury. Fernando is likely to replace Gundogan in the starting XI.

Slip at Goodison Park

Arsenal have been scoring goals for fun in December, but Arsene Wenger’s men failed to impress in Tuesday’s game against Everton at Goodison Park. The Gunners suffered a 2-1 loss to Ronald Koeman’s charges and, as a result, they dropped to third place in the table. The capital club rolled over West Ham United at London Stadium in their last away fixture, but beating the star-studded Citizens at Etihad Stadium is easier said than done. Alexis Sanchez is undisputedly the team’s key player and the Chilean attacker, who found the net in the 2-1 loss to Everton, is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition back-line. The Gunners need to win big matches if they are to clinch their first Premier League trophy since 2004 and I am positive that the visitors will adopt an attack-minded approach in Sunday’s showdown. You should know that Arsenal are after their sixth away win of the season.

Defenders Mustafi, Mertesacker and Coquelin are all out of contention with injury. Midfielders Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey and striker Danny Welbeck remain in the recovery room as well. Theo Walcott is likely to drop to the bench after failing to impress in the Goodison Park clash.

Interesting facts

• Alexis Sanchez has netted 12 goals in 16 appearances in the league this term
• Over 2.5 goals were scored in four of last five meetings between the two teams in PL
• Manchester City recorded their last win over Arsenal on 14 December, 2013
• Over 2.5 goals were netted in Arsenal’s last three games in all competitions
• Citizens failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five home fixtures

Manchester City vs Arsenal betting pick

Both Manchester City and Arsenal are eager to pick up all three points from Sunday’s clash and I am positive that fans will see a lively contest at Etihad Stadium. In their last meeting in the Premier League the two teams played out a 2-2 draw and, taking everything into account, I believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 3/5