The English Premier League’s top two contenders for two straight seasons now, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, both unbeaten this season, face each other in the firecracker that is the biggest game of the week when the Gunners travel to the Etihad on Sunday.
City, fresh off a goalless draw with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, will seek to maintain their perfect league record. Meanwhile, Arsenal, buoyed by a strong defensive record, hope to build on their recent positive results against the reigning champions.
Man City Look to Maintain 100% League Record | Home Win = 1.88
Man City’s domestic form has been impeccable, with four consecutive league wins and 11 goals scored. The Citizens’ attack is spearheaded by Erling Haaland, who has already netted nine goals, breaking records in the process.
While Pep Guardiola’s side come into this game as the defending league champions for a fourth consecutive season, they will know that after their draw against Inter, anything other than 3 points against an injury-hit Arsenal will be considered alarming for a Citizens team that has such a high standard.
Arsenal Hope to Extend Unbeaten Run Against Rivals | Away Win = 4.69
Arsenal travel to the Etihad with confidence, having avoided defeat in their last three encounters against Man City, including a 1-0 home win last season. The Gunners are in fine form, boasting four clean sheets in five matches this term.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men will know that while their opponents do not have the same number of clean sheets, they are the only team in the league to have won all their league games this term and given that they are on a 47-game unbeaten run at the Etihad, where this game takes place.
Key Players & Team News:
City will miss Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb due to injuries, while De Bruyne’s absence is a major blow. Guardiola is expected to rely on Haaland’s scoring prowess and Foden’s creativity to unlock Arsenal’s defence.
Arsenal will be without Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, which could impact their midfield dynamics. The form of Bukayo Saka and the potential inclusion of Raheem Sterling against his former club will be crucial as the Gunners aim to upset the champions.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.77
City has a strong record at home, unbeaten in their last 47 matches at the Etihad (W39, D8) while also winning all their four (4) EPL games this season. | Main Market: = Home (1x2 - Early Pay-out) = 1.86
Arsenal, unbeaten in all competitions so far, has been a thorn in City’s side in recent times with City failing to score in their last 3 encounters with Arsenal, losing twice (1-0 and the other on penalties) and drawing once. | Specials Market: Draw/Away & Under 3.5 = 2.39
The last two (2) meetings between Man City and Arsenal have been low-scoring with under 1.5 goals happening in all two (0-0, 1-0), while Arsenal have played under 2.5 in all their last 5 games in all competitions with City playing it twice in their last 5 games. | Main Market: GG (No) = 1.85
Both teams are set to put their unbeaten records on the line in what promises to be an early test of title credentials and intentions ahead of a long season that is just beginning.
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