Premier League
Man City vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal will have the unenviable task of travelling to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime as they look to avoid their worst start to a campaign in more than six decades.
Manchester City bounced back from a surprise 0-1 loss away to Tottenham Hotspur in their season opener to hammer Norwich City 5-0 last weekend. They are more than capable of replicating that scoreline or similar when the Gunners come to town this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side have opened the 2021-22 Premier League season with a 0-2 loss away to debutants Brentford, followed by the same scoreline at home to rivals Chelsea.
Arsenal could hand a Premier League debut to Aaron Ramsdale in goal whilst they will be hoping for returns to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to add some firepower up front.
The Citizens will be looking to head into the international break with another comfortable victory and gain on potential title contenders Liverpool and/or Chelsea, whom meet an Anfield in Saturday’s evening game.
Pep Guardiola continues to play with a false number nine, though it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see Gabriel Jesus start this one up front. Jack Grealish had an impressive outing versus Norwich last weekend, and should be in line to start again this weekend alongside the likes of Ferran Torres, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and/or Riyad Mahrez.
I cannot see anything but a big win for City in this game and the bookmakers tend to agree with such a short price on the home side.
Arsenal’s defence has made a poor start to the season and I am unsure Ramsdale nor White are going to have much of an impact at the Etihad Stadium this weekend. Yes, the North London club could add an attacking threat with Aubameyang and/or Lacazette returning, but realistically, how many opportunities are they going to see? The hosts will dominate territory and possession for most of the game.
Best bet: Man City to win -1.5 goals is 1.82 with Betfair
Value bet: Man City to win -2.5 goals is 3.0 with Betfair
Dead cert: Man City to win is 1.29 with Betfair