Premier League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Manchester City

Published on: 18/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: Arsenal vs Manchester City

December 21, 2015 20:00pm - Emirates Stadium

Premier League

In the pick of this week`s games, title favourites Arsenal and Manchester City will battle it out for supremacy at the Emirates stadium on Monday night.

Gunners looking to extend one-point advantage

With Leicester City leading the way, Arsenal will be keen to keep pace with unlikely pace-setters as we head into the busy festive period. This game will also give them the opportunity to extend their lead over their visitors.

The Gunners can make it three wins in a row with victory on Monday after easing past relegation candidates Aston Villa and Sunderland in the last two games. With a Champions League tie against Barcelona to look forward to, Arsene Wenger will be keen to take some positive momentum into the New Year, and a win over City would certainly give them a boost.

Future unclear for Pellegrini

Manchester City have one just two of their last five Premier League matches but remain just three points away from top spot in the league. With table-toppers Leicester expected to suffer a slip-up at some point, the Citizens will be keen to avoid defeat against their main title rivals on Monday.

Last week, Manuel Pellegrini guided his team into the knockout stages of the Champions League, and will be looking to qualify for the quarter-finals for the very first time by overcoming Dynamo Kiev. In the meantime, he will have to deal with ongoings rumours suggesting that he will be replaced in the summer by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola.

City edged past struggling Swansea at home last time out thanks a late Yaya Toure strike that deflected off Kelechi Iheanacho. However, they have not won a match away from home since September, having drawn two and lost two in that time.

Team news

Alexis Sanchez could return to the Arsenal squad after missing the last three games with a hamstring issue. He could be joined by the recovering Mikel Arteta. However, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Danny Welbeck are all still out.

City will be hoping to include Sergio Aguero in the starting line-up on Monday, after the Argentinian international returned to full training last week. However, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta remain on the doubtful list.

Recent form (League)

Arsenal: WWDLD

Manchester City: WLWLD

Betting odds and tips

The Gunners have won four of their last five at home, while City have not won any of their last four away. As a result, the Gunners will be favourites for this one. However, this game could also be affected by team selection with Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero both in with a good chance of featuring. City have failed to score their last three away trips, so the inclusion of Aguero could be vital for the visitors. He can be backed to score anytime at 6/4 with Coral.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 18/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/12/2015 13:14:21) but are subject to change.