Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (1/3) v Arsenal (7/1)
We are backing the home win
When: 11th March 2020, Kick-off 7:30 PM
Where: The Etihad Stadium
On Wednesday night, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, as the Citizens look to get back to winning ways.
Manchester City
The Citizens suffered a 2-0 derby defeat at arch-rivals Manchester United last time out. The loss was their seventh league defeat of the campaign, which is the most City boss Pep Guardiola has ever suffered in a single season.
The defeat means that league leaders moved one step closer to mathematically winning the Premier League title. If City loses this game and their next match against Burnley, then Jurgen Klopp’s team will officially be champions.
The weekend defeat against United ended a five-game winning run for City in all competitions. Unlike the Citizens, their recent matches have been low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight competitive matches.
Despite their underwhelming campaign by their previously set high standards, City’s home record has remained decent. In fact, Guardiola’s team are unbeaten in five home matches in the top-flight, having recorded four wins in the process. City have also been prolific in front of goal of late, scoring at least twice in eight of their last nine league matches at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal
The Gunners head into this match unbeaten in eight games in the Premier League. Last time out in the top-flight, Mikel Arteta’s team sneaked past West Ham 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium. The win was the visitor’s third straight victory in the top-flight. Their recent good run of form has moved the team from north London to within just five points of the Champions League spots.
One factor that has played a part in the recent improvement of results is the visitor’s improved defensive displays. Arteta’s team has now kept three clean sheets in their last four league matches, conceding just two goals in the process.
Arsenal are unbeaten in seven away games in the top-flight. Incredibly, though, six of those unbeaten games have finished in draws, including their last five matches on their travels in the top-flight. Their recent away matches in the Premier League have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five league matches on the road.
Conclusion
City were on a decent run of form before the derby defeat, while Arsenal are in their best form of the season. We are backing the home side to end the Gunners recent run of form, as these are the sort of games that the Gunners tend to wilt in. However, we believe it will be a relatively close game, as we are backing the under 2.5 goals scored, with Arsenal’s defensive improvement being one of the main factors in the selection.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 1/3 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 2/1. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Will Manchester City return to winning ways against Arsenal?
EDIT: The Premier League has postponed this fixture, as a precaution to prevent the spread of the Corunavirus. The game will be played at a later date.
