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Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League title-defining clash on Sunday afternoon.
City claimed a 3-0 victory at Chelsea in their last league fixture, while Arsenal suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.
Match preview
City come into this clash full of confidence. They have collected 14 points from their last six league fixtures — the second highest tally within this period.
The Cityzens have not lost any league home game since August and defeated Arsenal to win the Carabao Cup last month.
They have won seven of their last 11 league home games against the Gunners, drawing three and losing one of the other fixtures.
Pep Guardiola’s side are expected to replicate their Carabao Cup approach. They will dominate possession, create overloads in the midfield, while isolating Arsenal’s full-backs.
The Cityzens have to defend well during set-pieces and avoid turnovers in dangerous areas.
Arsenal head into this clash off the back of knocking Sporting CP out of the Champions League, despite a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
They have played with caution in recent weeks. Their average xG in the last five games is the second lowest it has been across any five-game spell this term.
That said, they still rank third in the form standings, collecting 13 points from their last six games, one less than City during that period.
The Gunners have picked up the most points on the road this term, serving as an encouragement before this encounter.
Arsenal will need to start on the front foot and target City’s full-backs, who remain vulnerable. Set-pieces could also be key, although City have conceded just nine goals from such situations this season.
The Gunners must track City’s spare man in midfield and offer support to their full-backs to contain the hosts’ wingers.
Team news
City have been given an injury boost with Nico O’Reilly’s return to training. The youngster came off injured in last week’s win at Chelsea.
However, Ruben Dias is ruled out, while it is unclear whether John Stones will recover in time for this clash.
Arsenal will be without star forward Bukayo Saka. Noni Madueke, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are doubts, while Mikel Merino is ruled out.
Predicted line-ups
Man City (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, Jeremy Doku, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz.
Prediction
We predict a 2-2 draw.
Stats from transfermarkt.com & whoscored.com
