It is the biggest game of the 2024-25 Premier League season so far as Manchester City welcome title rivals Arsenal to the Etihad.
First versus second? Footballing drama is virtually guaranteed and even though it is early days, this fixture could have a huge impact on the destination of the trophy.
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Manchester City vs Arsenal
Sunday, September 22, 4.30pm
Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK
Live on Sky Sports
Manchester City vs Arsenal Preview
This match is primed to be a real chess match between two managers who know each other very well in Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
And it is set to be a case of the unstoppable force in Erling Haaland coming up against the immovable object that is Arsenal’s defence.
Haaland has scored nine Premier League goals this season, while the Gunners’ back-line has been breached only the once thus far.
Both of these teams were held to 0-0 draws in the Champions League this week and each will be eager to deliver more convincing displays at the Etihad on Sunday.
However, that might not be easy, as each side is set to be without their main creator-in-chief. Martin Odegaard is on course to miss around eight weeks of action with an ankle injury, while Kevin De Bruyne limped off against Inter Milan and looks likely to miss out.
So the onus will be on other star names like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Kai Havertz and Jack Grealish to drive their sides forward.
It is hard to look past a City victory on home soil, although the Gunners will take solace in the fact that the reigning Premier League champions have looked vulnerable in transition all season, with space likely to be on offer for whichever wingers Arteta selects from Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, the returning Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard.
City have kept just one clean sheet in the top flight and if Arsenal had a Haaland-like figure leading the line, the balance of power pre-match may very well be different.
But regardless of the numerous variables, this game will have the footballing world gripped and if one team’s unbeaten run is ended, it will be the first significant blow landed in the title race.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Odds
*All odds are subject to change
It will come as no shock to learn that hosts City are the big favourites to claim all three points at odds of 1.83. Arsenal are priced at 4.40, while the draw stands at 3.61.
In terms of first goalscorer, Haaland is the frontrunner at 3.94 – and the Norwegian is at 2.04 to ripple the back of the net at any point in the match.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Betting Tips
Manchester City to win and under 2.5 goals in the match @ 3.78
Last season, the matches between these two sides yielded just one goal, which was Martinelli’s late strike at the Emirates to seal a 1-0 win. So do not expect a goal-fest in this battle between two master tacticians. City to win 1-0 is intriguingly priced at 5.85.
Rodri to score anytime @ 6.80
Despite being a defensive midfielder, Rodri has the knack of scoring big goals in big games. And it may take one of his rockets from outside the box to finally breach Arsenal’s imperious back-line.
Manchester City Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
Injuries: Bobb, Ake
Doubts: De Bruyne
Arsenal Team News
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Injuries: Odegaard, Tomiyasu, Tierney, Merino, Zinchenko
Doubts: None
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