Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in a must-win showdown in the fight for this season’s Premier League title.
Victory would see Man City cut their deficit in the title race to two points, whilst Arsenal can move eight points clear with a win.
Team News
Man City have no fresh injury concerns after their semi-final win against Sheffield United in this season’s FA Cup.
Nathan Ake (hamstring) remains absent.
Arsenal could welcome Granit Xhaka back into contention after illness forced him to miss their 3-3 draw against Southampton.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny (both knee) and William Saliba (back) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 26 April at 8pm BST, live on BT Sport 1 in UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League meetings against Arsenal (W12, D2).
- Arsenal are winless in their last seven league visits to Man City (D1, L6).
- Man City have scored nine goals in their last three league meetings at home to Arsenal without conceding (W3).
- Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens have conceded in three of their last four home matches (W4), only keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win against Newcastle in March 2023.
- Gabriel Jesus has scored four goals in three of his last four Arsenal appearances, but failed to find the net in their 3-3 draw at home to Southampton last weekend.
Prediction
Despite comfortably dominating Sheffield Utd at Wembley, I don’t think Man City were entirely convincing because several players lacked quality in their end product aside from Riyad Mahrez, who was a cut above his own teammates in all areas.
Pep Guardiola though should be boosted by the return of Ederson in goal plus Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne in defence and midfield respectively, especially after City almost conceded twice in the first seven minutes because of sluggish defending against brave attacks from the Blades.
Arsenal meanwhile have to reset and treat this like a cup final because victory would put them eight points clear and the title destiny into their own hands, yet they first must cut out the defensive errors which have crept into their defence because their attack otherwise is still as dangerous.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though have a poor record against City in recent seasons so this is a huge ask if they want to keep the pressure right upon City, who are experienced hunters when forced to chase down the title in the closing weeks of previous seasons.
A goalless draw however would be a surprise because both teams do have plenty of goals in them but if Arsenal can sort out their defending, I reckon that they could get a draw if can shut Erling Haaland down with tight marking to isolate him up front.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
Result: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal
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