Manchester City v Arsenal: Match Preview, Betting Tips & Odds
Here at betting.bet we’ll provide the latest team news, match insights and exclusive betting tips as well as the best pre-match odds
Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in a mouth-watering Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium. As we look ahead to a fixture that even this early in the season could have a major impact on the title prospects of both clubs, here at betting.bet we’ll provide the latest team news, match insights and free football betting tips as well as the best pre-match odds from our partners at bet365.
Form
Manchester City and Arsenal have swiftly moved to occupy the top two positions in the Premier League, establishing themselves as title challengers once more. Holders Manchester City have won all four league games this season, following up August wins over Chelsea (2-0), Ipswich Town (4-1) and West Ham United (3-1) by coming from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last time out.
Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table with ten points from a possible twelve. The Gunners have won both away league games so far against Aston Villa (2-0) and Tottenham Hotspur (1-0) but dropped points at home to Brighton & Hove Albion (1-1) just before the international break.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal were in UEFA Champions League action during the week and both were left frustrated by some resolute Italian defending as they played out goalless draws against Inter Milan and Atalanta respectively.
Team News
Kevin de Bruyne is a major fitness doubt for Manchester City after departing at half-time in the draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening. The Belgian was replaced by Ilkay Gundogan at half-time with what seemed to be a groin injury and that change may be enforced from the start on Sunday. Phil Foden also stepped off the bench at half-time against Inter Milan and the England international could come into the Manchester City starting XI for the visit of Arsenal. Nathan Ake is the only other absentee for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Arsenal will also be without one of their key playmakers on Sunday with captain Martin Odegaard still absent. Leandro Trossard deputised for Odegaard in the win at Spurs and performed well enough to retain his place ahead of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling in the Arsenal starting lineup. The Belgium international started on the bench at Atalanta but that was probably with Sunday in mind.
Declan Rice should slot immediately back into the Arsenal midfield having served a one-match ban for the win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jorginho is expected to make way for Rice. Oleksandr Zinchenko is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from a calf injury. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori will battle it out for a starting berth at left-back.
Manchester City v Arsenal: Head-to-Head
Arsenal halted Manchester City’s recent dominance in this fixture last season as they remained unbeaten in three matches against Sunday’s opponents. The Gunners lifted the Community Shield after a penalty shootout followed on from a 1-1 draw. In the league, Arsenal earned four points in two matches against Manchester City, winning 1-0 at the Emirates in October before grinding out a 0-0 draw away from home in March. The solitary goal scored in two league games contested by these title rivals last season was scored by Gabriel Martinelli, 86 minutes into the first fixture.
Betting Tips
Arsenal kept clean sheets in both league games against Manchester City last season and Inter Milan’s low block in their goalless draw at the Etihad in the Champions League on Wednesday evening will serve as a blueprint for Mikel Arteta’s side once more. An Arsenal clean sheet would be a real achievement and is priced accordingly at 10/3 whilst the Gunners are a huge 7/1 to win to nil.
If Arsenal are to keep a clean sheet they’ll have to stifle an Erling Haaland in red-hot form. The Norwegian forward has netted an incredible nine goals in four league games so far this season and remains Manchester City’s most likely source of goals. You can back Haaland at 6/5 to score at any time on Sunday, alternatively he is 3/1 to score first or 11/2 to score two or more.
Yellow cards were a key topic of conversation last weekend. Chelsea’s win against AFC Bournemouth smashed the Premier League record for bookings in a single game whilst Arsenal’s narrow win at Spurs equalled the record for first-half yellow cards in a Premier League fixture. Given the magnitude of Sunday’s match at the Etihad, there are several card-related markets worth exploring. Over 4.5 cards is excellent value at 10/11.
Jurrien Timber is the only player from either squad to have picked up yellow cards in more than one Premier League game this season and the Dutchman is 10/3 to be carded on Sunday. Teammate Kai Havertz picked up 11 bookings in the league last season and is priced at 12/5 to be carded. Amongst Manchester City players, Rodri has possessed the worst disciplinary record in each of the last two seasons and looks a solid bet at 3/1 to be booked on Sunday.
Match Odds
| Manchester City | Draw | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 13/5 | 15/4 |
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