England Premier League
Saturday 28th August 2021
Kick off at 12:30pm BST
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
The weekend’s games will get off in cracking style as the champions Manchester City will face Arsenal at the Etihad.
You feel that City needed the 5-0 victory over Norwich last weekend to get their opening weekend loss at Tottenham out of their system and with goals coming all over the pitch the players and especially new signing Jack Grealish should be ready for this game. Defeat or even a draw here would feel that City’s season is stop/starting and no one at the club will want that when you think of City you think of a winning consistency.
At this present time there seems to be more news off the pitch than on at the club, could it have distracted Pep Guardiola’s preparations? The Harry Kane deal which seemed inevitable has fallen through, and then Cristiano Ronaldo was linked to the club. Also, in very worrying news Benjamin Mendy has been charged with alleged rape, and his career could be in tatters.
Arsenal would have welcomed their 6-0 thrashing of West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Cup after their start in the league title chase but it was against a second tier side who had mostly put out their second string team. Still Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did score a few after he had to miss the beginning of the season through illness and he will be happy to have scored goals again and manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping the victory can install some much needed confidence.
It’s been an otherwise awful month for the Gunners who have lost both of their opening games and come into this one in 19th place and are yet to score.
Team News:
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne is a major doubt with an ankle injury and isn’t expected back for a couple of weeks. Phil Foden is missing with his foot injury.
Arsenal: Hector Bellerin should return for this game after his thigh injury. Gabriel will be assessed for fitness issues. Thomas Partey will not return for another two weeks due to his ankle injury. Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka will be assessed for minor knocks and should be fine. Eddie Nketiah is out for a couple of weeks with his ankle injury. Willian is 50/50 to return after illness and Ben White is expected to miss this game also through illness.
Man City vs Arsenal Head to Head:
Manchester City won this game last season by 1-0.
From the last 11 meetings Manchester City have won 10 of them.
Arsenal have not beaten Manchester City away from home since 2015.
Man City vs Arsenal Prediction:
If De Bruyne is missing and with the news off the field circulating this isn’t the greatest moment for Manchester City, but they still have a wealth of players to hurt Arsenal. The key though could be in defence because Arsenal should never quite be written off and with their attacking pair of Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette they will get chances.
City really impressed in defence last season and if they can perform a solid job here then you fear for the Arsenal defence when City come forward given that they are shipping 2 goals per game.
We expect a fluent and open game, which would have fit Arsenal like a glove 15 years ago, but now the power shift has changed and it is possible to see City cruising to a win. They are big odds on so we will have to look into different markets.
Man City vs Arsenal Betting Tips:
Half Time: Manchester City to win at 1.66
Anytime goalscorer: Ferran Torres at 2.10
Correct Score: Manchester City to win 2-0 or 3-0 at 6.00 and 8.00
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