Manchester City begin their run-in with a tough blockbuster test as they welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium in a rearranged clash.
A win would see City reduce their deficit to Liverpool down to 22 points, whilst Arsenal can climb as high as sixth with victory if Sheffield United lose at Aston Villa.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesManchester City enter this game with a full squad available for selection after several players recovered from various injuries over the break.
Aymeric Laporte (hamstring), Kevin De Bruyne (shoulder), Leroy Sane (knee) and Sergio Aguero (thigh) are all set to be available, having made full recoveries since the league went into lockdown in mid March.
Arsenal are expected to remain without Callum Chambers (knee) but Cedric Soares (knee), Shkodran Mustafi (quadricep), Kieran Tierney , Sead Kolasinac (both shoulder) and Lucas Torreira (ankle) should all be available after making recoveries.
Stat Attack
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League meetings against Arsenal (W6, D2).
- City have scored three goals in four of their last five league matches against Arsenal.
- Man City’s Sergio Aguero has scored five goals in his last three home appearances against Arsenal.
- Arsenal have scored just one of four penalties against City in 45 previous Premier League clashes.
- No Premier League team has scored more goals outside of the box this season than Man City, who has produced 12 of their 68 goals from outside of the box.
Prediction
If this game had gone ahead on its initial rescheduled date, I would of gone for a City win but Mikel Arteta has now had more time to impose his gameplay on Arsenal squad in recent weeks.
I therefore am expecting Arsenal to turn up and give City more of a game than they would of done in March, regardless of the in-stadium atmosphere being quieter than what it would of been back in March if this game hadn’t been postponed twice.
Arteta’s Gunners however have a poor record against City in recent years which I think will rattle them a bit, particularly if City come out fighting like they always do in these type of fixtures so am going for a home win here.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
Result: Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal