Manchester City vs Arsenal: Betting Odds & Prediction

Premier League champions Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling encounter ahead of the crucial stages of the Premier League. Arsenal sit one point above Manchester City prior to kick-off. 

The result of this clash could have major implications for the title race, with the battle for top spot heating up and contenders Liverpool kicking off against Brighton earlier in the day. 

Arsenal have had the upper hand so far this season, defeating City in the Community Shield on penalties, and coming away with maximum points from the return Premier League fixture at Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 win. Kick-off is set for 4:30pm UK time. 

Recent Form 

Manchester City

The hosts have been formidable recently, showcasing their dominance in a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the FA Cup last time out. In their most recent league match, Manchester City came away from Anfield with one point from another high-stakes title clash against Liverpool. 

Pep Guardiola’s side are prolific in front of goal, averaging 2.3 goals per game over the course of the Premier League season and averaging a tally of three in their last five matches. City striker Erling Haaland is the competition's leading scorer with 18 goals so far. 

Manchester City are particularly strong at home, remaining unbeaten at the Etihad so far this season. They’ve won 71% of their league games in front of a home crowd and have won four consecutive home matches in all competitions. 

At home in the Premier League this season, Guardiola’s side average an expected goal (xG) tally of 2.07, which they’ve bettered by netting 2.43 goals per game. The champions have scored in every league outing at the Etihad this year.  

The Citizens have averaged an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 0.8 at home this season, conceding slightly more at 0.86 goals per game. Manchester City have kept clean sheets in 36% of their Premier League home games, a much better statistic than on the road where they have kept a clean sheet in only 21% of their matches. 

Above: Arsenal secured a 1-0 home victory over City earlier this season. 

Arsenal

After winning eight league matches in a row, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table despite being level with Liverpool on points. Their goal difference is now superior to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, after averaging 4.6 goals per game in their last five matches. 

Arsenal’s last outing saw them overturn a one goal aggregate deficit against Porto to move through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on penalties, showing the strong character of their squad this season. 

Mikel Arteta’s side rank first in goals scored per match statistics in the league this season, averaging 2.5 goals per match. Their fine form in front of goal has been exemplified through the form of Bukayo Saka who has ten goals and assists in Arsenal’s last nine league fixtures. 

Away from home, Arsenal average an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.75, which they have greatly exceeded by scoring 2.43 goals per game on the road. In fourteen away matches the Gunners have failed to score only twice. 

Arteta’s side have been particularly impressive defensively on their travels, keeping clean sheets in 50% of their away league matches. They average an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 0.9 away from home, which they have bettered by conceding only 0.79 goals per game. 

Prediction

League leaders Arsenal are in incredible form after a run of high-scoring dominant victories, but no team has managed to best Guardiola’s side at the Etihad so far this season. News on Bukayo Saka’s fitness will have huge importance for the fixture after the Arsenal star returned home from England international duty as a precaution. 

Despite Arsenal’s fine form taking them top of the table, Manchester City’s record at the Etihad is hard to ignore. OddsNow expect Manchester City to maintain their unbeaten home record and take maximum points from the clash. With both teams so prolific in front of goal recently, a high scoring match can also be expected at the Etihad. 

OddsNow's Picks: Manchester City to win (10/11 @ BetGoodwin); Over 3 goals (5/4 @ vbet)