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.

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.

👉Find the link here👈

8-times winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), Lyon, will be looking to seal their place in the semi-final of this season’s competition by seeing out Benfica on Wednesday when they welcome the Portuguese giants to the Stade Gérard Houllier.

Last season’s quarter-finalists will be hoping to build on their 2-1 away win from the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Benfica last week when they face a Benfica side that has shown it’s not afraid to express itself against even the current holders of the competition, Barcelona Femenino.

Lyon Can Smell the UWCL Trophy is Close

The all-time winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) can already smell the 2023/2024 trophy in the air and they will not be interested in losing that scent, especially after they have had a sniff with that first leg win over their opponents.

As it stands, Lyon have one foot in the semi-finals, and having had their path to the final already determined, they would know if they manage to get the job done against the Portuguese, their opponents in the semis will be their French counterparts, PSG.

That would likely motivate them a lot given just how much of an edge they have had over PSG in their previous meetings and also the bonus benefit of knowing they will not be facing the defending champions, Barcelona Femenino, in the semis.

Lyon, 7-0 winners of their last game in the French league over Lille, will be zooming their focus on that trophy and hope they can get the chance to extend their dominance over the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Benfica Has Proven They Are Not Shy

Benfica, leaders in the Portuguese Women’s League and regulars in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for at least the past three seasons, have proven in this season’s competition that they can be bold.

That was the statement they made when they went toe to toe with Barcelona, the defending champions of the competition in their last group game, playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw with the two-time winners.

A result that ensured Benfica made history in Europe this season by becoming the first Portuguese team ever to reach the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Portuguese champions will now head on their travels, where they have put together an 11-game unbeaten away run since losing 5-0 to Barcelona in November in the group stages, and their recent 4-1 league victory over Braga should boost their confidence ahead of the Lyon encounter.

Match Stats

Lyon hasn't lost in 32 matches and is unbeaten in 15 home games while Benfica is on an 11-game unbeaten away run since losing 5-0 to Barcelona in November 2023.

Lyon (W) have won the previous 3 matches against SL Benfica (W) beating them 5-0 twice, one at home and the other away, and 2-1 recently.

SL Benfica (W) have a good record of 5 undefeated games in their last 6 encounters in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

There have been over 2.5 goals in 4 of Lyon’s last 5 games in all competitions while Benfica has seen over 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions.

You can check out the Lyon vs Benfica UWCL game on MSport here