Manchester City vs Arsenal predictions: Title rivals tough to separate
- Manchester City have lost only one of their last 10 meetings with Arsenal in 90 minutes
- Four of City’s last nine home league games have ended in a draw
- Recommended bet: Draw
The Premier League title race has turned into a triple threat between Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool and it is set to be a thrilling conclusion with only one point splitting the star-studded trio with 10 games to go.
This is the last time this season in which one of the three challengers can directly influence the result of another title rival and Manchester City, who have claimed Premier League silverware in five of the last six seasons, will be eyeing the victory that will take them above leaders Arsenal.
However, the Gunners are brimming with belief following an eight-game winning streak and will be confident they can pick up a positive result against City, who they deservedly defeated 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in October.
The Citizens, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 13 league matches and have not suffered defeat at their Etihad fortress this season, so will also rightly fancy their prospects.
Team news
Having picked up injuries while on international duty with England, Manchester City defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones missed training on Thursday and look set to be out.
Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne were ruled out of representing their nations but both have returned to training and are expected to be fit.
Ederson is also in line to start having withdrawn from the Brazil squad which faced England and Spain last week.
Arsenal have Dutch defender Jurrien Timber still sidelined while Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are doubtful having not trained ahead of the trip to the Etihad.
Bukayo Saka must also face a late fitness test following his withdrawal from the England squad.
The stats
Manchester City have lost only one of their last 10 meetings with Arsenal in 90 minutes, although that defeat did come in the reverse fixture at the Emirates.
City have won their last eight home games against Arsenal.
Arsenal have won eight Premier League matches in a row and have emerged victorious in their last three away league games to nil.
The Citizens are unbeaten in 13 league matches, although four of their last nine home league fixtures have ended in draws.
Three of the last five meetings between the pair have featured two goals or fewer.
City have failed to win any of their four league matches against fellow top-four sides, drawing twice with Liverpool and losing away at Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Prediction
Defences have come to the fore in matches involving Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool this season and this latest title tussle is unlikely to prove any different.
Arsenal ground out a 1-0 victory when hosting Pep Guardiola’s side in October, while Liverpool and City have played out a couple of 1-1 draws, the latest of which took place at Anfield less than three weeks ago.
The Gunners did defeat Liverpool 3-1 at the Emirates but they were happy to claim a point in a 1-1 draw on Merseyside, a similar scenario of which would be accepted by Mikel Arteta at the Etihad.
City have had a tendency to underwhelm in the headline matches this season and, with four of the five title tussles so far this term featuring two or fewer goals, this may not be a classic given what is potentially on the line.
So with a low-scoring encounter on the cards, the draw has to be a big runner and City have shared the spoils in four of their last nine home league games.
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