Man City v Arsenal Predictions: City To Win To Zero & Sterling To Score v The Gunners

Man City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League in the Saturday lunch time kick-off. The hosts have had a difficult run of recent form but have won their last two home fixtures by 5-0 margins. Mikel Arteta is already under pressure as Arsenal manager and his side have a terrible record against Pep Guardiola in the league.

Man City Form

City had an incredible run of form last season, winning 37 of 43 matches in all competitions at one stage. Their finish to last season was iffy with the title all but confirmed and the distraction of the Champions League final. They lost 2-1 at home to Chelsea and then 3-2 at Brighton with ten men. A 5-0 thrashing of Everton preceded defeat in the CL final to Chelsea.

This season has started with a 1-0 Community Shield loss to Leicester and a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham to make it three matches without scoring. They bounced back to run riot against Norwich in a 5-0 victory.

Man City Team News

Phil Foden remains absent in midfield with injury and Kevin de Bruyne is doubtful after a rushed return to appear against Spurs on the opening day. Aymeric Laporte returned against Norwich and will keep Nathan Ake on the bench with John Stones being slowly reintegrated.

The biggest question marks are in the front three as both Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling netted as substitutes against Norwich. Gabriel Jesus excelled down the right wing in that match and could keep his place. Ferran Torres may be at risk of being left out with Sterling used as a false nine.

Man City Motivation

City and Pep Guardiola will want to beat their former assistant coach in Mikel Arteta. They will also want to build up some momentum after their disappointing start to this season.

Guardiola has been using a 4-3-3 with wide overloads as his midfielders join his wingers and fullbacks to work the ball down the sides. With Arsenal carrying some counter attacking threat, City may look to be very safe and secure in possession with fewer risks than usual.

The Lab – Stats Centre

Arsenal Form

Arsenal finished last season strongly by winning their final five Premier League matches and accruing the 2nd most points over round 16 to 38. However, this season has started off poorly with the manner of performances as well as the results being a concern.

Arsenal lost their opener 2-0 to Brentford as they were outbattled and struggled in the air. A 2-0 home loss to Chelsea followed as the Blues created 3.0 Expected Goals to just 0.5 for Arsenal – a genuine thrashing which could have ended in a bigger score-line.

Arsenal Team News

Arteta is missing numerous players. Ben White and Gabriel are out at centre back so Rob Holding and Pablo Mari will need to play together again. Kieran Tierney should be fit after a knock to play at left-back.

Thomas Partey remains absent in midfield but Martin Odegaard is available to play and Alexandre Lacazette is back to boost numbers in attack after COVID-19. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should start up front after isolating with Gabriel Martinelli carrying a knock after the Chelsea defeat.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners would a point in a heartbeat. They played with good intensity against Chelsea but without the organisation or quality to actually win the ball when pressing or to create chances when getting into the final third.

Arteta will surely set up defensively and maybe even be tempted to use a back five. He has pace in the form of Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe to counter attack and that seems the best bet.

Key Stats

Man City have seen 6 losses in their last 14 matches

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against Arsenal (W9 D2).

Man City have won their last 2 PL home matches by a 5-0 score-line

Arsenal have lost their last 8 PL meetings with City

Arsenal have been defeated in their last 6 matches against reigning PL champions

Raheem Sterling has scored 5 goals in his last 6 matches against Arsenal

Prediction

This looks a certain City win and Arsenal are at their longest odds for this fixture in many a year (15.00). There is no value in just a City win so going for a City win to nil or HT/FT makes sense.

Best Bet: Man City win to zero 

Value Bet: Man City HT/Man City FT at 2.15

Correct Score Tip: Man City 3-0 Arsenal at 9.25

Goalscorer Tip: Sterling (anytime scorer) at 2.50