28-08-2021 – Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction

Preview

The student will challenge the master on Sunday when Mikel Arteta attempts to outthink Pep Guardiola at the Emirates Stadium, though the Man City supremo looks ready to teach his former protégée a lesson in London.

Arteta rolled out his big guns on Thursday evening for Arsenal’s Europa League draw against Benfica, though his decision to field his stars could backfire when the Gunners take on the possession hungry Citizens this weekend.

Domestically, Arsenal have been way off the pace in the Premier League and they could find themselves in the division’s bottom half again if they lose to City for the third time this season.

Man City cruised to a 5-0 win over Norwich last time out thanks to goals from Grealish, Laporte, Sterling, Mahrez and an unfortunate own goal from the Canaries keeper Kril. That victory ended Man city’s two-game losing streak and provided Guardiola’s men with a much-welcomed confidence boost. City have had a full week to prepare for this game as they have a bye into the next round of the League Cup and while Foden remains sidelined, De Bruyne could make his return from injury this weekend.

Form Guide: Manchester City

Manchester City will be looking to add to Arsenal’s early-season woes when the two teams meet in the Etihad Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday.

While City managed to recover from an opening-weekend defeat at the hands of Tottenham, Arsenal have now lost two league games on the bounce, and the pressure is already mounting on boss Mikel Arteta.

They did earn a much needed win in the Carabao Cup against West Brom, although the Championship side put out a second string line-up on Wednesday evening.

After Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, Arsenal fans will be expecting a tough afternoon for their team in Manchester.

Man City cruised to a 5-0 win over Norwich last time out thanks to goals from Grealish, Laporte, Sterling, Mahrez and an unfortunate own goal from the Canaries keeper Kril. That victory ended Man city’s two-game losing streak and provided Guardiola’s men with a much-welcomed confidence boost. City have had a full week to prepare for this game as they have a bye into the next round of the League Cup and while Foden remains sidelined, De Bruyne could make his return from injury this weekend.

Form Guide: Arsenal

It is still early days, but some sections of the Arsenal fanbase are already starting to panic. Arteta is usually calm and level-headed, but even he has said that his team are now in a “difficult and unprecedented situation”.

For the first time in their history, the Gunners have lost their first two league games without scoring. Confidence is low and injuries have hit the squad.

They did earn a 6-0 victory over West Brom in the second round of the Carabao Cup, although it was over before it even began with the Baggies naming an almost under-23 side.

Arsenal have not only gone two league games without scoring but have not looked likely to find the net.

While they will be buoyed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both getting on the scoresheet in the Carabao Cup, the opposition on Saturday is in a different world.

Arsenal have suffered of late in this meeting in recent seasons and the history books suggest they usually struggle against the Citizens.

Guardiola’s men have kept seven clean sheets in the previous 10 encounters between the pair, while at home they have won to nil in two of the last three clashes

How the Match Could Go

Manchester City are the major favourites to win this match, for all of the obvious reasons.

That shouldn’t be a surprise. Arsenal have a woeful record against Manchester City, especially in away matches. City have won 11 of their last 12 meetings in all competitions. Arsenal haven’t won an away match at the Etihad Stadium since January 2015. Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud got their goals in a 2-0 win.

Arsenal have lost both their Premier League matches this season without scoring a goal. It’s hard to see anything other than the same outcome here.

Betting Predictions

Manchester City  to win

Man City kept a clean sheet in their last game against Norwich, securing a very comfortable 3pts, while Arsenal are yet to score this season and really need to get Aubameyang and Lacazette 100% match fit and scoring goals. City have won five of their last six competitive encounters with the Gunners and have kept clean sheets in four of those victories. A clean sheet might not be so certain this time around but everything points to the direction of another win for the Citizens. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.25 odds while Paripesa have 1.27.

Over 2.5 Goals

As far as a final scoreline is concerned, we’re predicting a good number of goals in this one. Arsenal have lost each of their opening two league games 2-0, away at Brentford and home to Chelsea, while two of Man City’s last three outings have produced under 2.5 goals. Man City could potentially run riot over the Gunners this weekend and the Gunners might as well gran a consolation goal. Even in the absence of the latter, City could pretty much achieve this on their own. Bet9ja have 1.52 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and Paripesa have 1.63.

Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester City)

Gabriel Jesus

He didn’t get on the scoresheet last weekend but Gabriel Jesus was still a key man for Manchester City, claiming two assists. Guardiola’s side always look more balanced with the Brazilian in the side and he’s a top shout to get in among the goals this weekend. His movement upfront should cause problems for a Gunners backline yet to get themselves in sync. Bet365 have 1.95 odds, Bet9ja have 2.35 and Paripesa have 2.40.

Raheem Sterling

Despite his critics, Raheem Sterling was one of the stars of the summer for England as he helped the Three Lions to reach the final of Euro 2020. After a short break, he has hit the ground running this season, opening his account for the campaign in the 5-0 success over Norwich. Sterling’s record against the Gunners is too hard to ignore, and he is one to consider when looking at the any-time goalscorer market. In the last eight meetings between the two clubs, Sterling has scored five times and he should be able to get at a vulnerable Arsenal defence, who will be without summer signing Ben White due to self-isolation. Bet365 have 2.20 odds while Bet9ja and Paripesa have 2.50.

Anytime Goalscorer (Arsenal)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

After missing out of action due to covid-19, Aubameyang was back in action against West Brom and was deadly as he smacked home three superb finishes. Though the odds are stacked against him but he is a proper name who could get a goal or could hold the Gunners’ chances of claiming an upset. Bet365 have 3.75 odds, Bet9ja have 4.75 and Paripesa have 5.00.

Alexandre Lacazette

The Frenchman came off the bench against West Brom and made an immediate impact with a goal to go with in their 6-0 rout. Arsenal are still yet to score a goal and it is likely that Arteta could put out his senior frontmen from the very start in front of goals. Lacazette has a knack of scoring against ‘big’ sides and he could boast a chance to do that against the reigning champions. Bet9ja have 4.75 odds, Bet365 have 5.00 and Paripesa have 5.20.