Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Arsenal

Published on: 18/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Arsenal

December 18, 2016 16:00pm - Etihad Stadium

Referee: M. Atkinson

Premier League

Fourth-ranked Manchester City and third-ranked Arsenal will look to keep their respective Premier League title hopes alive when they go head-to-head at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Anything less than a win for either side could see them cut adrift as pace-setters Chelsea continue to rack up maximum points each week.

City eyeing second spot

Manchester City started the season well and many assumed that Coach Pep Guardiola would walk his way to a debut Premier League title. However, the Sky Blues soon hit a sticky patch and have found themselves playing catch up to in-form Chelsea.

The City boss has called for patience as he searches for the right formula to guide him and his players to Premier League success. In fact, it may take a couple of transfer windows for the Spaniard to finally get a squad that truly reflects his own style.

After a four-game winless run, the Citizens got back on track in midweek with a win at home to 12th-ranked Watford. On a negative note, they come into this game hampered by the absence of key perfomers Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan.

Meanwhile, Arsenal also face being cut adrift from Chelsea should they lose this game. The Gunners lost their first Premier League match in 14 in midweek when they fell 2-1 at Everton and are currently nine points behind the leaders in third place.

Arsene Wenger`s men have scored at least one goal in their last seven matches but have also conceded in each of those games. In addition, 11 of their 16 matches have produced over 2.5 Goals.

Team news

Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero are both still suspended for the home side, who will also have to make do without the injured duo of Ilkay Gundogan (knee) and Vincent Kompany (knee). Fabian Delph is back in training but is not expected to feature at this stage.

Meanwhile, Arsenal still have a packed treatment room with Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Santi Cazorla (achilles), Mathieu Debuchy (hamstring), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Chuba Akpom (back), Danny Welbeck (meniscus) and Per Mertesecker (knee) all out of action.

Recent form (League):

Manchester City: WLLWW

Arsenal: LWWWD

Betting odds and tips

Manchester City scored in each of their last 9 matches and in all of their home matches. In addition, 11 of their matches have produced Over 2.5 Goals.

Arsenal have netted in their last seven away matches and 11 of their matches this season have produced more than 2.5 Goals.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 8/15 and Over 2.5 Goals at 13/20 - both with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 18/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/12/2016 10:01:08) but are subject to change.