Man City vs Arsenal Prediction: This could be another snooze-fest

The Premier League title race hots up on Sunday (16:30, Sky Sports Main Event) as reigning champions Manchester City host their closest challengers from the last two years Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens have a 100 per cent record in the top-flight so far after four matches and are about to take part in their third consecutive home game in all competitions.

The Gunners are two points behind the hosts and are also unbeaten after four matches. Neutrals will be hoping for greater entertainment than the 0-0 these two sides delivered in this precise fixture back in March. Read on for my Man City vs Arsenal prediction, accompanied by match odds and team news.

Man City vs Arsenal Odds

Man City are 4/5 to win this clash, which gives them a theoretical chance of 55.6%. Arsenal are valued at 100/30 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 23.1%. The draw can be backed at 12/5 (29.4%).

The 0-0 scoreline is available to bet on at 9/1. Both teams to score is on offer at 5/6 and over 2.5 goals is available at 10/11.

Erling Haaland leads the way in the Premier League scoring charts with nine goals in four matches. He is 11/10 to score anytime on Sunday.

Team News

Man City are without Oscar Bobb, who has been out with a fractured leg since pre-season. Nathan Ake recently joined him in the treatment room after picking up a thigh injury while playing for the Netherlands in the Uefa Nations league during the last international break. The Dutchman is hoped to be back in around a month.

There is some concern over the fitness of star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian was forced off with a problem in the Citizens' goalless draw with Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League. De Bruyne was seen to be struggling in the closing stages of the first half and he did not reappear for the second.

Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that the player had said that he was feeling a little bit better, so he could yet still have a role to play on Sunday.

If he is left out as a precaution, last season's Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden will be ready to step up, as he awaits his first league start of the campaign.

For Arsenal, boss Mikel Arteta revealed that captain Martin Odegaard will be "out for a while" following the ankle injury he picked up on international duty with Norway. The midfielder's absence has handed a huge blow to Arsenal for this game but also their title challenge, as this is where Arsenal's lack of squad depth will be highlighted.

Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney in the medical bay, but Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori were able to shake off knocks to feature in the Gunners' midweek goalless stalemate with Atalanta in the Champions League.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5

I think it's safe to say that we are still recovering from the last league meeting between these two sides. That 0-0 was one of the first title race clashes ever witnessed and it was a poor reflection of Guardiola and Arteta as it was very much treated as a 'do not lose' match rather than being set up to win.

It said it all that both sides matched each other with four centre-backs across their back lines, which led to the game having very little entertainment value. There were some strong defensive displays but that's not what we want from a game of such magnitude.

Sadly I fear we could be in for something similar on this occasion so I think under 2.5 goals could be a smart play. Arsenal have seen less than three goals scored in all five of their fixtures across all competitions this season, so I can see that trend continuing on Sunday.

City, on the other hand, have only seen under 2.5 goals land in two of their five outings in all competitions this campaign. However, they will facing their toughest test yet in Arsenal's back line, who boast one of the best defensive partnerships in Europe with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

My feelings towards this game not being blessed with goals is also supported by the two toothless displays these sides gave in Europe in the week, with both playing out 0-0 scorelines.

Gabriel Magalhaes 1+ shots (via Bet Builder) @ 6/5

In Arsenal's case, the loss of captain Odegaard will be troublesome at the Etihad, as they have lost their driving force both in and out of possession. This means they may have to be creative in other ways if they are to best the defending champions without their skipper.

Set-pieces could once again be key for the Gunners. We saw them take the bragging rights in the North London Derby a week ago as Gabriel Magalhaes headed home Saka's corner in front of the travelling Arsenal supporters.

The Gunners carry a huge threat from set-pieces, largely thanks to Gabriel's aerial presence. The Brazilian has scored 15 goals in the Premier League since the beginning of 2020-21 and he could be key in Sunday's chess match.

Arteta could emphasise the need for his side to win a lot of corners to put City under pressure, and this could play to Gabriel's strengths. He poses such a threat from these situations, so I am backing him to register at least one shot on goal at the Etihad.

Offers

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