Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in a blockbusting cracker in the Premier League title race.
Victory would see Man City move above Arsenal and could go top if Liverpool fail to beat Brighton in the mid-afternoon kick-off.
Arsenal meanwhile will stay top with a win but could move three points clear at the summit if Liverpool lose in the early match.
Team News
Kyle Walker and John Stones are ruled out for Man City after they suffered respective hamstring and adductor injuries, whilst on international duty for England.
Ederson (muscle), Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Manuel Akanji (knock) and Matheus Nunes (foot) could be available, subject to late fitness checks.
Arsenal could have Gabriel Martinelli (foot), Gabriel (Achilles) and Bukayo Saka (hamstring) back in contention
Jurrien Timbers (knee) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 31 March at 4:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have lost one of their last 16 league meetings against Arsenal (W13, D2, L1).
- Arsenal are winless in their last eight league visits to Man City (D1, L7).
- Victory would see Mikel Arteta’s Gunners do the league double over Man City for the first time since 2007-08 season.
- Erling Haaland has scored four goals in three of his last four league appearances at home for Man City.
- Arsenal have scored 19 goals and conceded just one goal in four league matches on the road in 2024 (W4).
Prediction
Having cruised past Newcastle before the international break, Man City will be aware that they can’t afford to underestimate Arsenal but they do have some issues with Walker and Stones out, which they can’t allow to affect them for all of their attacking quality.
Arsenal meanwhile have had almost three weeks to prepare for this game and given their away form since the turn of the calendar year, I do expect them to be right up for this fight especially sat top at the start of the day.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have also beaten City twice already this season – albeit on penalties in the FA Community Shield, so there is little doubt that they have the mentality needed to get a result here if can keep it tight at the back and clinically play their high-press intensity.
I however do feel that Man City will prevent Arsenal inflicting a league double but given their defensive issues and Villa to come on Wednesday, they might just have to settle for a draw here.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
Result: Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal
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