Big Game Focus: Arsenal v Manchester City

 

Arsenal welcome Manchester City looking to make it two Premier League wins out of two while the visitors are seeking to bounce back from the painful Manchester derby defeat. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on this game here. 

Arsenal finally got their first win in 11 games on Monday with a win over West Ham, but the Gunners are far from convincing under Freddie Ljungberg’s brief reign as interim boss. The Gunners face another huge test this Sunday when they welcome reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, where they’ll be looking for the first league victory at the Emirates since beating Bournemouth 1-0 in October.

Pep Guardiola’s City, on the other hand, surrendered any hope they had of chasing league leaders Liverpool in last weekend’s Manchester derby defeat. They now trail runaway the Reds by a massive 14 points. Can they inflict more misery on Arsenal or will they bounce back?

Betting preview

Manchester City have won three of their last five away games in the Premier League. They have also beaten the Gunners the last five times in a row. Five of the last six meetings between these two have seen Over 2.5 Goals. Both Arsenal and City’s last five games in all competitions have seen three or more goals scored. You can back an Away Win and Over 2.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.70. 

Both teams have scored in four of Arsenal’s last five league games and all of City’s last five games in the Premier League. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score in this game at odds of 1.50.  

In Manchester City’s last game, Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick. The Brazilian has scored ten goals this season in 21 appearances this season in all competitions. Each of Jesus’ last 14 goals for Manchester City in all competitions have come away from the Etihad. For that reason, you can back Gabriel Jesus as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.90. 

Team news

Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are both sidelined for Arsenal, with the latter out for three months. Granit Xhaka will also miss this game due to a concussion. Matteo Guendouzi should start as a result. Nicolas Pepe and Rob Holding are doubtful for this match.

Oleksandr Zinchenko made his return from injury in Tuesday’s 4-1 win away to Dinamo Zagreb which means Pep Guardiola’s defensive options are getting better. David Silva missed out in midweek with a knock and remains a doubt. Ederson missed the midweek game due to illness but should be back on Sunday.

Possible line-ups

Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Luiz, Kolasinac, Torreira, Guendouzi, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Aubameyang

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Sterling, Silva, Jesus