With just 9 games to go in the 2023/2024 English Premier League (EPL) season, and just a single point separating them in 1st and 3rd, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners dare enter Pep Guardiola’s City to try and increase the gap between the two title contenders.

Such an outcome on Sunday would go a long way to pretty much all but make Arsenal the outright favourites to be named the champions of the English Premier League for the first time in a very very long time.

Defending Champions, City, Will Have the Etihad Roaring

Manchester City have looked like a team slightly off the pace compared to the team they were last season and it has been noticed by their opponents as reflected in their results against the big sides.

However, their incredible home form this season should be more than enough inspiration for them going into this game against the leaders of the EPL standings, Arsenal.

Pep’s side has not lost a single game at the Etihad this season in all competitions with teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Brighton, Newcastle and Brentford, the last team to beat City at the Etihad, having all been there.

Together with Liverpool, City are the only team to not have lost a single game in all their 14 league games at home and one can expect the “Citizen Blue Army” to roar the loudest they have roared this season when Arsenal come into town on Sunday.

Gunners' Recent Edge Over City & Their Great Away Form

Mikel Arteta's side after suffering losses in all three games he played against Man. City last season seems to have found the remedy to City’s poison as Arsenal have beaten City in the two games the two sides have played this season in all competitions (one via penalties.

That should be Arsenal's greatest source of inspiration going into this encounter but if for some reason that should not be enough, the Gunners’ incredible away form should be a very potent substitute.

Arsenal have the most points, (29), from their 14 games played outside the Emirates in which they have managed to win 9 games, draw 2, and lose just 3, the same as their opponents on Sunday, Manchester City.

Last season, Arsenal led the EPL table for a very long time and fluttered when it mattered most, losing the EPL title to City by succumbing to heavy defeats at their hands, now is the opportunity for them to exact a little revenge.

Possible Absentees:

According to reports, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kevin De Bryne, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Gabriel Martilleni, Akanji, Ederson, and Matheus Nunes, could all miss the all-important clash for both City and Arsenal.

Match Stats

Manchester City are ranked 3rd in goals scored per match (2.3 goals) while Arsenal is ranked 1st in goals scored per match (2.5 goals) in the EPL this season.

Arsenal are ranked 2nd away from home this season in the league together with City. However, they have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (11) and have been awarded the most penalties this season (8).

At least one goal has been scored by Manchester City in all of their last 55 home matches in all competitions with Erling Haaland the EPL’s top scorer (18 goals).

Manchester City's most recent record of 43 consecutive home games in all competitions consists of no losses.

You can check out the Manchester City vs Arsenal EPL game on MSport here

Two sides separated by just a point on the French League table, and having played out 1-1 draws in their last two meetings, Lille and Lens, will go at each other again this Friday in the Derby Du Nord at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

With the possibility of securing a UEFA Champions League spot for next season’s new format European competition still a possibility for both teams, a lot more aside the pride of beating a derby rival is set to ride on this Ligue 1 classic.

Lille Might be distracted by European Glory but…

With the 2020-21 Ligue 1 champions having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a date against English surprise performers, Aston Villa, Lille sure have a lot to think about regarding their European hopes.

However, it would come as a great deal of shock if Lille let their European dreams distract them from the task of keeping their incredible home form intact against derby rivals, Lens, in their battle to make the top four, especially given the goal difference and point advantage they have over their competitors.

Paulo Fonseca’s side have their astonishing streak of home form to thank for their fourth-placed standing, as they have only suffered three league defeats at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, including just one in the current campaign.

Since Reims left with a shock 2-1 win under their belts in September, Fonseca's men have strung together a nine-match unbeaten home run in Ligue 1, a sequence that includes a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain and a 2-0 win over Monaco.

Lens: No European Distractions and Their Away Form is…

Frank Haise’s men may have rued getting knocked out of the UEFA Europa League but that misfortune may just be the thing that helps their domestic season as they can now singularly focus on trying to make it to Europe again next season.

First in their way to achieving that goal is a tough side, one they have not managed to beat in their last two meetings but the fact that they will be going away should serve as great motivation given their stellar away form currently although the Stade Pierre-Mauroy is a fortress Lille at the moment too.

Indeed, Lens have taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer on their travels and have kept an incredible eight clean sheets in their last 10 Ligue 1 away matches - no team possesses more on the road in the entire season.

Match Stats

Lille have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (14), while Lens have kept the most clean sheets away from home in the French league this season (8).

Lille are ranked 5th in goals scored per match (1.4 goals) in the league. Similarly, on goals, it’s been 13 months since Lille last failed to score in a Ligue 1 game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Lille’s Angel Gomes is ranked 2nd in big chances created in the competition (10) while Lens’ Florian Sotoca is ranked 3rd in big chances created in the competition (10).

Lens is ranked 7th in goals scored per match (1.3 goals). Similarly, Lens has seen under 2.5 goals scored in all of their 3 most recent clashes with Lille in Ligue 1.

You can check out the Lille vs Lens Derby du Nord game in Ligue 1 on MSport here.

As two Premier League juggernauts brace themselves for a pivotal clash, the intensity at Stamford Bridge will be palpable when Chelsea face off against Manchester United on Thursday. Amidst the looming pressure and desperate quests for European qualification, this encounter promises a spectacle of footballing prowess and strategic insight.

Match Preview

Chelsea, reeling from a disappointing draw against Burnley, desperately seeks redemption. Despite dominating proceedings, defensive lapses have haunted them, leaving Mauricio Pochettino's side yearning for consistency. With only eleven victories in 28 fixtures, the Blues are languishing in 11th place, teetering perilously on the fringes of European contention.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's recent performances have been marred by inconsistency. Erik Ten Hag's men, coming off a frustrating draw against Brentford, are eight points adrift of Champions League qualification. The looming double-header against Chelsea and league leaders Liverpool intensifies their predicament, amplifying the significance of securing a positive result at Stamford Bridge.

Team Form

Chelsea form (all competitions): Loss, Win, Draw, Win, Win, Draw

Manchester United form (all competitions): Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win, Draw

Team News

Injuries plague both camps, with key players sidelined and doubts looming over pivotal positions. Chelsea's defensive woes are compounded by fitness concerns, while Manchester United grapples with the absence of influential figures like Lisandro Martinez, Lindelof, Martial, and others.

When Chelsea's coach was asked if some key players would be available again before the season ends, Pochettino said: “ No, I don’t know. It’s difficult to say something because I don’t want you to go ‘but, oh, [you said this]'. We will assess it week by week and we will see. We hope yes, we hope that he will be available for the end of the season." He added: "Christopher Nkunku, we don’t have a precise game for return yet."

Tactical Analysis

Chelsea System of Play: 4-2-3-1 vs Manchester United System of Play: 4-2-3-1

1️⃣Build-up Comparison: Manchester United struggles with playing out from the back and resorting to long passes, while Chelsea's build-up is more structured and flexible, adapting to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez's positioning.

2️⃣ Attacking Approach: Chelsea will aim to overload the final third with a 3-2-4-1 shape, while United will try and  focus on creating numerical advantages at the back to exploit spaces and quickly transition with the likes of Rashford and Garnacho.

3️⃣ Defensive Strategy: Chelsea employs an intelligent pressing approach, while United emphasizes marking and defensive solidity, with a focus on quality defenders and midfielders.

The tactical nuances of both teams under Mauricio Pochettino and Erik Ten Hag, it is evident that Chelsea faces challenges in build-up play and defensive organization, while Manchester United prioritizes structured build-up and defensive solidity. The clash between these contrasting tactical approaches promises an intriguing battle on the field, with each team aiming to capitalize on their strengths and exploit the weaknesses of their opponents.

Predictions and Insights

💰In their past 45 encounters, Chelsea has emerged victorious in 14 matches, while Manchester United has won 16. Additionally, there have been 15 instances where the two teams have ended in a draw.

💰In past encounters, Chelsea and Manchester United have typically seen an average of 2.62 goals scored per match.

💰This season in the Premier League, Chelsea has maintained an average of 1.57 Points Per Game in home matches, while Manchester United has achieved an average of 1.53 Points Per Game in away matches.

💰Both teams have consistently generated a high number of corner kicks, with an average of over 10 corners combined in their past matchups.

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In the heart of London, football rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up to face off at the iconic London Stadium Tonight. Both teams are vying for valuable points to boost their chances of securing a spot in Europe, making this Premier League match a must-watch. Expect sparks to fly as the stakes could not be higher in this highly anticipated showdown.

Match Preview

Despite suffering a tough loss to Newcastle United, David Moyes's team is determined to bounce back and regain their winning streak. The Hammers are a formidable force, led by Mohammed Kudus and Michail Bowen, especially on their home turf where they have shown great resilience all season.

On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur comes into the match with confidence after a thrilling win against Luton Town, displaying their strength and attacking abilities. However, Ange Postecoglou's team must overcome their struggles on the road to secure a victory. With star players Son Heung-min and James Maddison leading the charge, Spurs are looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Hammers' defense and come out on top.

Team Form

West Ham United Premier League form:  Loss, Win, Win, Draw, Draw, Loss

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form: Win, Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Win

Team News

West Ham United's defensive resilience may be tested as they navigate the absence of Alphonse Areola and the uncertain fitness of key players like Michail Antonio. However, Manager David Moyes' tactical expertise and the depth of his squad offer reassurance in the face of these challenges.

Tottenham Hotspur is relatively injury-free, with Brennan Johnson likely to bring creativity to their midfield as a starter. The return of Richarlison and Micky van de Ven strengthens their attacking options, as they look to unleash their full offensive potential against their London rivals.

Predictions and Insights

💰Out of the 36 previous meetings between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United have emerged victorious in 12 matches, while Tottenham Hotspur have claimed victory in 18 matches. Additionally, 6 matches between the two teams have ended in a draw.

💰In past matchups between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, there has been an average of 2.86 goals scored per game.

💰Coming into this game, West Ham United has picked up 8 points from the last 5 games, both home and away. That's 1.6 points per game on average. BTTS has landed in an intriguing 5 of those games. West Ham United has scored 13 times in the last 5 fixtures.

💰Coming into this game, Tottenham Hotspur has picked up 9 points from the last 5 games, both home and away. That's 1.8 points per game on average. BTTS has landed in an intriguing 3 of those games. Tottenham Hotspur has scored 10 times in the last 5 fixtures.

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