Premier League

Arsenal vs Man City prediction

Arsenal and Manchester City take the Premier League into 2022 as they meet at the Emirates Stadium at lunchtime on New Year’s Day.

The Citizens are starting to break away from the rest of the title contenders with a 10-game winning streak throughout the final two months of 2021. Pep Guardiola’s side are looking excellent both going forward and in defence. Not that their defence gets tested too often such is their dominance in possession and territory.

City will be aiming to take as many points as possible between now and the resumption of the UEFA Champions League in February. On the face of it, that sounds like an obvious statement. But what we mean is that Guardiola isn’t going to be making too many squad rotations and will be making sure his players keep their foot on the pedal over the next month or so.

That starts in North London on Saturday and three points away to Arsenal. Yes, the Gunners are on a four-game winning streak themselves, and some impressive scorelines to match. But with the exception of West Ham, the level of opposition is in the bottom half – 3-0 over Southampton, 4-1 at a depleted Leeds United and 5-0 at relegation battlers Norwich City.

Manchester City is a whole new level and one that I don’t believe Arsenal are close to matching currently. Admittedly, City’s odds aren’t too great against a top four contender, but their form and domination of this fixture in recent seasons makes me comfortable in backing them. What’s more, the game is televised so you can always take them in-play if you prefer.

Dead cert: Man City to win is 1.55 with Betfair