We are edging closer and closer to the Premier League finale. With just over a month to go, things could not be any closer with no clear winner in sight; the table is incredibly tight, with Arsenal and Liverpool currently tied for first in points and Man City only one point behind.
Arsenal are proving their determination to be crowned this year’s winners, with not a single loss so far this year and scoring more goals than any other team this season. Man City are currently placed third and, despite winning the last three years in a row, may not be able to make it a fourth time this year.
On Sunday, 31st March, The Gunners and The Citizens will go head to head in an epic clash. The two teams are thought to be the best in the Premier League at this present time, along with Liverpool, who will play against Brighton on the same day.
Liverpool are predicted to win in their match against Brighton, meaning a win for Arsenal could cement their place at number one on the table, making their only real competition The Reds, whom they have already drawn 1-1 with and beaten 3-1 already this season.
The game will be played at the Etihad Stadium, and Arsenal have been playing better than they have in recent years, but will it be enough to beat City’s star power? They are known to have some of the best players in the league, such as Erling Haaland, who has scored more goals than any other player this season, as well as Julián Alvarez and Phil Foden; however, Arsenal have star player Bukayo Saka, who has scored thirteen goals this season alone, but news dropped that the player became injured training for England this week and will more than likely miss a few training sessions ahead of the match.
Man City are also well known for their impressive home record, winning 16 out of 20 games this season despite having a few wobbles. Arsenal will not go down without a fight with the Premier League trophy inches away from their fingertips, having won 55% of their away games.
In the last few encounters, the two teams have played against each other, and the results have, for the most part, been in City’s favour, with City winning 4 out of 6 games.
Head To Head Record
- 08th October 2023 – Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City – Premier League
- 06th August 2023 – Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City – FA Community Shield
- 26th April 2023 – Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal – Premier League
- 15th February 2023 – Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City – Premier League
- 27th January 2023 – Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal – FA Cup
- 01st January 2022 – Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal – Premier League
Injuries
Injuries can make or break it for a team in a match like this. Luckily, for both teams, only a few players will be sitting out on this crucial match. For City, there were a few whispers that top striker Haaland might be injured after he came off in a game against Newcastle last Saturday, which would be worrying considering he has already taken much time out due to a foot injury, but Guardiola soon dismissed all concerns in a post-match conference and suggested that he will be heading off with the Norwegian national team for their friendly matches later this month.
First pick goalkeeper, Ederson, on the other hand, was injured during a match with Liverpool earlier this month and is not expected to return until after the international break. Kevin De Bruyne will be joining Ederson due to a groin injury, but manager Guardiola has confirmed the midfielder will be back on the pitch soon.
Mikel Arteta will be missing a few players of his own. Arsenal’s top goal scorer, Saka, worried everyone when he got injured training for the England team earlier this week, but he will probably return just in time for the Man City match; Gabriel Martinelli is likely to miss out after cutting his foot in a recent game against Sheffield. Jurrien Timber returned to training in late February after suffering a severe knee injury in the first Premier League game of the season; it’s not been confirmed if Timber will compete against City or if he will take a little longer out but he will likely play a role in the final weeks of the season. Defender Gabriel Magalhaes will likely not play due to an Achilles tendon issue.
Predictions
Score prediction
We anticipate a close game. Man City are the current League Cup holders, so Arsenal may find them more challenging to beat than the recent teams they have played against. Of course, the Gunners are desperate for their first League Cup victory in over two decades.
Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
The Odds
The current average odds collected by TXODDS is,
Arsenal win : 3.973
Manchester City win: 1.834
Draw: 3.731
Besides the final game outcome, if you want to place a wager, there are a few other variables to bet on.
Goals
Over 2.5 2.068
Under 2.5 1.709
Over 3.5 2.740
Under 3.5 1.409
First goalscorer: Martin Ødegaard
