Manchester City v Arsenal
Sunday 3rd February 1630hrs
Football – England – Premier League
Pick Manchester City HT/FT
Bookmaker: Coral
Odds: 20/23 (odds taken 14.15 GMT, Saturday 2nd February)
Match of the weekend takes place at the Etihad on Sunday as Manchester City look to get back to their title charge back on track against an Arsenal team who have retaken fourth spot courtesy of goal difference – continue reading for a betting preview of this crucial clash.
Premier League Betting at Coral
Manchester City Preview
After City’s loss to Newcastle in midweek – and a hugely surprising loss at that – their title defence looked to be hanging by a thread with Liverpool playing the following evening and with the opportunity to stretch their lead to seven points. Jurgen Klopp’s men could only manage a draw, however, and it gives Pep Guardiola’s team another lease of life. Whilst that will be seen as a let off, what will be more concerning for Guardiola is that it was yet another game that City were seemingly in control of only to completely fall out the game and let their lead slip. It happened against both Leicester and Crystal Palace in the closing stages of 2018, both of which gave Liverpool the advantage in the title race, but it looked like they had gotten back on track at the beginning of this year. Whether it’s the pressure of being involved in a proper battle for the Championship or just lapses of concentration it’s something that will have to be sorted otherwise there is little belief that this team – on their current form – can put the consistent run together needed in order to make-up that five-point deficit. That said, Liverpool’s performance on Wednesday also suggested they were starting to feel pressure so we may see plenty of twists and turns in this race.
Key-Facts – Manchester City v Arsenal
- Only Bournemouth of the current top 10 have conceded more away goals than Arsenal this season (22)
- City have the best home record and have scored eight more goals at home than any other rival
- Guardiola’s team have went on to win nine home games when they have been ahead at half time this season
Arsenal Preview
It’s been a rocky period for Unai Emery and his Arsenal team these past few weeks as the Gunners have been unable to replicate their consistency of the early months of the seasons. Their last seven games in all competitions have seen them win four and lose three, one those losses coming at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup. That will have been a blow for a club who have won that competition in three of the last four seasons but the primary target for this season was to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, which they have missed out on in the last two years. Emery will be pleased with his team’s response to that defeat against United when edging past Cardiff 2-1 at home in midweek. It looks very much like a three-way battle with Chelsea and United for fourth spot and having deservedly beaten the former of those teams recently, there will be hope that they can get through this difficult period and remain in their current position. It gets harder before it gets easier, of course, with a trip to the current champions.
Manchester City v Arsenal Betting Advice
The respective need for points for both City and Arsenal is obvious as they look to drive towards their season objectives. City had a reprieve on Wednesday with Liverpool dropping points following their loss a day earlier, and with Klopp’s men playing on Monday night this week, the tables are reversed and City have an opportunity to pile pressure on their title rivals. Arsenal hold on to fourth by virtue of having scored more goals than Chelsea, but could well be sixth by the time they kick-off on Sunday – indicating just how tight and competitive the race for the top four is.
City were comfortable winners when visiting the Emirates on the opening day of the season and they have an excellent record over the Gunners of late, unbeaten after 90 minutes since 2015. Their last four wins have at an aggregate of 11-1 and Arsenal have to find something difference in order to combat Guardiola’s team who have just found it a bit easy. I’m not convinced Emery has an approach that will prove effective against City and their away form is always suspect with just four wins from 11 matches, and the second worst defensive away record in the top 10. We know that City relish pinning teams back early doors, and whilst they have been vulnerable against certain opposition even when in the lead, I don’t believe Arsenal are at a stage where they can trouble them so back City to be leading at half time and going on to take all three points.
