MANCHESTER CITY square off with Arsenal in a mouthwatering top-of-the-table Premier League showdown at the Etihad on Easter Sunday.
The two sides are currently locked in a three-way battle for the title with Liverpool, who will look to fulfil their end of the bargain by banking three points against Brighton ahead of this tantalising tussle.
Reigning champions Man City go into the latest round of action occupying third place in the table following a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola's side have since seen off Newcastle with a 2-0 win in the FA Cup in their pursuit of back-to-back trebles.
As for Arsenal, they seized the initiative at the Premier League summit with a 2-1 win against a battling Brentford side at the Emirates earlier this month.
However, the acid test of the Gunners' title credentials comes this weekend at the Etihad when they go up against star-studded Man City in a showdown loaded with jeopardy.
Outright Betting
Man City are 10/11 favourites on Bet 365 to avenge the defeat they suffered at the Emirates earlier this season.
Arsenal are as big as 3/1 (UniBet) to extend their winning run in the Premier League to nine matches while a share of the spoils has been chalked up at a best price of 14/5 (UniBet).
Betting Angles
Manchester City will have their backers at the above-mentioned price but I'm going to opt for a two-legged Bet Builder by coupling up Man City to Score and Declan Rice to commit a foul at 5/6 (Bet 365).
Granted, Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues blanked in October's reverse fixture between these two title rivals, but that is only one of two games in which City have failed to net across their 28 Premier League outings this term to date.
What's more, the Citizens have struck in each of their last 47 Premier League matches at their Etihad base, and they can keep that impressive record intact by breaching Arsenal's backline.
Whilst Mikel Arteta's men boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, they have failed to keep the back door shut in seven of their last 11 league outings, which doesn't augur well ahead of a trip to the Etihad.
We can give the price on a Man City goal an enticing boost to 5/6 (Bet 365) by also backing Declan Rice to commit a minimum of one foul during this high-stakes heavyweight showdown.
While the all-action Arsenal midfielder’s foul per-game tally in the top-flight this term currently sits at just 0.8, he has tackled his way into trouble in nine of his last 14 Premier League appearances and that trend should continue here given the magnitude of the match as well as the calibre of opposition he will be coming up against.
Elsewhere, a separate player-based selection that stands out is Nathan Ake to commit a foul at even-money (1/1) on PaddyPower.
Admittedly, Ake rarely finds himself getting reprimanded by the referee, but I'm prepared to go against the grain here given that he is likely going to be operating in the same vicinity as Arsenal foul magnet Bukayo Saka
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal will be played on Mar 31, 2024 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
