In what is the biggest game in the Premier League title race to date, second-placed Manchester City welcome leaders Arsenal to the Etihad on Super Sunday.
Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple have quickly evaporated over the past few weeks, as defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City was followed by a shock FA Cup exit away at Southampton last Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s men did squeeze their way through to the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night, as they knocked out reigning Portuguese champions Sporting CP 1-0 on aggregate following a goalless draw at the Emirates in the second leg.
However, the Gunners head into this clash having seen their four-game winning run in the Premier League come to an end last weekend, as they suffered a shock 1-2 loss at home to Bournemouth.
Manchester City seem to be hitting form at the right time, as they followed up their Carabao Cup success over the Gunners by putting four past Liverpool at the Etihad in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s men then took advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up against Bournemouth the following day, securing a 0-3 victory at Stamford Bridge against out-of-form Chelsea – on an afternoon I landed a 4/5 winner.
The Cityzens are now just six points behind their North London opponents in the Premier League table, and know a win on Sunday and victory in their game in hand against relegation-threatened could see them leapfrog the Gunners to top spot.
How the bookies view it: City favourites
Manchester City are favourites to secure a fourth consecutive win in all competitions on Sunday, with bet365 pricing a home success at 5/6.
The Gunners are 10/3 underdogs to claim just a second victory from their last six clashes in all competitions, whilst the draw is 11/4.
Head to head: City to follow up League Cup success?
As mentioned above, Manchester City were victorious in the last meeting between the pair less than four weeks ago, winning 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final.
What’s more, the Cityzens are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 Premier League meetings with the Gunners at the Etihad, winning seven of them (W7-D3-L0).
Players to watch: Silva to be shown yellow again?
Bernardo Silva did the business for us a fortnight ago by backing up his 15th card of the season against Liverpool (14 yellows & one red), meaning he has now been carded in six of his past 11 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions.
What’s more, the Portuguese international was booked in the reverse at the Emirates back in September, and is an appealing 15/8 at bet365 to be carded at the Etihad on Sunday.
Predicted line-ups:
Manchester City will still be without the injured Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, whilst John Stones is a doubt.
Mikel Arteta will be without the injured Mikel Merino, whilst Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are doubts.
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Havertz, Trossard, Gyokeres
Anything else catch the eye?
Nico O’Reilly was the hero in the Carabao Cup final, as his two goals in the space of four minutes were enough to secure Manchester City the trophy.
The England international has scored six goals and provided an assist across his 10 appearances in all competitions for the Cityzens – including the opener at Stamford Bridge last weekend – and looks good value at 3/1 at bet365 to Score or Assist on Sunday.
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