MANCHESTER CITY and Arsenal meet at the Etihad today in a massive showdown with huge implications for the Premier League title race.
SunSport’s betting experts have previewed the clash and picked out the best betting tips, odds and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading bookmaker partners.
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Man City vs Arsenal preview
No need to dress this one up, this is a heavyweight title fight that could go a long way to deciding the destination of the Premier League crown.
In the red corner, Arsenal, on the ropes and trying to hang on for their first top-flight title in 22 years.
And in the blue corner, Manchester City, throwing punch after punch and closing in, unbeaten in 18 of their last 19 league games.
The Gunners could have landed a knockout blow by beating Bournemouth last weekend, but instead saw their advantage cut to six points, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arsenal arrive having won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, with their quadruple hopes up in flames after defeats to City and Southampton.
More concerning is their lack of bite in attack.
The Gunners have scored just three goals in their last five, one of which came from the penalty spot. That is no coincidence. They mustered just 0.19 expected goals from open play against Bournemouth last time out, while their draw with Sporting produced only one shot on target.
But it is not all doom and gloom.
Arsenal still hold a six-point lead, remain odds-on favourites with the bookmakers and have an 86.98% chance of getting it over the line, according to Opta.
They also have a strong recent record in this fixture, unbeaten in their last five Premier League meetings with Manchester City, winning two and drawing three.
As for City, they simply need to keep the pressure on after three emphatic wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, scoring nine and conceding none.
They are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League home games, since a 2-0 defeat to Spurs on the opening day at the Etihad, scoring at least twice in 12 of those matches.
And there is clearly no shortage of incentive. Victory on Sunday, followed by three points at relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday, could see them leapfrog their rivals with just five games remaining.
Man City vs Arsenal odds
- Manchester City 5/6 with bet365
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Man City vs Arsenal tips and betting predictions
Tip 1: Manchester City win to nil
No fence-sitting here, we are backing Manchester City to take a huge three points and keep a clean sheet in today’s epic showdown at the Etihad, available at 15/8 with Betfair.
Pep Guardiola’s side arrive in ominous form, brushing aside Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in succession. None may be at their peak, but scoring at least twice in each and keeping three clean sheets is clearly impressive.
Arsenal froze when these sides met at Wembley, with City in complete control, and it could be more of the same today given the Gunners’ recent struggles and the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Bet: Manchester City win to Nil at 15/8 with Betfair
First goalscorer and correct score prediction
Tip 2: Rayan Cherki assist
We are also backing Manchester City creator-in-chief Rayan Cherki to grab another assist today, available at 5/2 with bet365.
The 22-year-old was outstanding against Chelsea last weekend, setting up goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi in that statement win at Stamford Bridge.
It was no fluke either. No City player has created more chances than Cherki over the last six league games, while his expected assists tally of 1.73 is also the highest.
He added another assist against Liverpool in the FA Cup the week before and looks primed for another contribution here.
Bet: Rayan Cherki assist at 5/2 with bet365
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