Arsenal welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium in a huge top-of-the-table clash that could have a significant bearing on the race for the 2015/2016 Premier League title. Here is our Football Tips and preview, along with stats and team news for the big game this coming Monday.
Match Preview
Arsenal go into the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run that has not only seen the Gunners resurrect their Champions League campaign to reach the knock-out stages, but also keep pace with surprise league leaders Leicester City. The 2-0 victory at struggling Aston Villa was an example of the ruthless professionalism that Arsenal have shown in recent weeks, and although the games have been against teams in the bottom half of the table, they avoided slipping up in a Premier League season where just about anything is possible. Victory at Villa Park has put Arsenal a point ahead of Manchester City and Leicester at the summit, although the latter could retain top spot if they beat Chelsea. However, Arsenal have bounced back from the disappointing 2-1 defeat at West Brom by picking up seven points from a possible nine, scoring six and conceding just two in the process. Petr Cech equalled the Premier League record for number of clean sheets with another blank at Aston Villa in a game where he was hardly tested, while Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud continued their wonderful form; the former made it thirteen league assists for the season by setting up Aaron Ramsey’s goal, while the latter made it five goals in his last three games.
Manchester City have seen Arsenal overtake them in the league table and Coral’s latest Premier League title odds as Manuel Pellegrini’s men have hit a stumbling block in recent weeks. The 2013/2014 champions have won just two of their last five league games, with their recent last-gasp victory against Swansea making amends for the 2-0 defeat at Stoke City in a game where they were comprehensively outplayed. Yaya Toure’s injury-time winner may provide the impetus for Manchester City to kick on and rediscover the form that saw them storm to the top of the table with seven consecutive wins at the start of the campaign. Their patchy form has coincided with the absence of captain Vincent Kompany, with Manchester City’s defence looking vulnerable and error-prone without their instrumental leader. There is still plenty of quality in their team to cause problems, and with the likes of Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield, Arsenal will have to be at their best to come away with a positive result.
Match Form
Arsenal Premier League form WWDLDW Arsenal home form WDWWW
Manchester City Premier League form WLWLDW Manchester City away form LDDLW
This will be the first time the two teams meet this season, but those who may look for tips for this weekend’s football matches with Coral should look at Arsenal’s impressive home form and overall record against Manchester City. West Ham are the only team to have walked away from the Emirates Stadium with all three points, something Manchester City have not managed since January 2013 when goals from James Milner and Edin Dzeko were enough to win a bad-tempered game in which both teams were reduced to ten men. Incidentally, Arsenal have not lost to Manchester City in their last four meetings, with another positive result strengthening their title push and potentially dealing a blow to arguably their closest rivals.
Team news
Arsenal will wait until the very last minute to see if Alexis Sanchez has fully recovered from the hamstring injury picked up at Norwich, although it may be unwise to risk him if he is not one hundred percent fit. The game will likely come too soon for Mikel Arteta to make a return from a calf strain, while Arsenal will have to wait until 2016 to see the return of Santi Cazorla (knee), Francis Coquelin (knee), Jack Wilshere (calf/shin), Thomas Rosicky (knee) and Danny Welbeck (knee).
Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of Kompany (calf), Sergio Aguero (ankle) and Pablo Zabaleta (knee) who could potentially make a return to first-team action at the Emirates Stadium. Fernando (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked, while Samir Nasri (hamstring) will be unable to face his former employers as the Frenchman has been ruled out until April 2016.
Predictions and tips
The last 0-0 draw between the two teams was in January 2011, and it is highly unlikely that two teams packed with attacking quality will fail to score. Manchester City will be significantly weakened if Kompany and Aguero fail to prove their fitness, and if the former is ruled out then I think Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 3/1 represents excellent value. Arsenal have to be considered the favourites due to the quality of football they are currently playing and Manchester City’s surprising inconsistency, which has not been helped by suspect defending.
Arsenal win and both teams to score 3/1
Olivier Giroud to score first 11/2
Arsenal 3 Manchester City 1 16/1
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