Manchester City vs Arsenal Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Mendy; Foden, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Mahrez, Sterling
Arsenal:
Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Thomas, Saka; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
This is the derby of the 5th round, a match between two established Top-6 sides. Manchester City are favorites, but they are in poor form at the moment. The Citizens have no win on the last two matches in the Premier League. First they were humiliated by Leicester City at the Etihad and lost 5:2. For the first time since February 2003, the Citizens have conceded five goals in a home match. It was an awful experience for Pep Guardiola. It's the first time in 686 games that Pep has conceded five goals as coach. The defense showed lot of weaknesses and the Spaniard decided to sign Ruben Dias from Benfica for £65m. The 23-year-old Portugal international had 113 senior appearances for Benfica and played 19 times for the national team. However, his arrival wasn't enough City to win against Leeds United before the international break. Raheem Sterling secured advantage in the first half, though the Whites equalized in the 59th minute and the final score was 1:1. The fact they dropped five of six points in the last two games surely frustrated Guardiola. I believe he will ask the maximum of his players in this match. Pep has some offensive issues too - both strikers, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, are injured. To be worse, two more players struggled playing for the national teams. Key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne trudged off during Belgium's defeat to England at Wembley and subsequently withdrew from the squad for their next Nations League game against Iceland. Raheem Sterling, who withdrew from the England squad with a hamstring problem, should be ready in time for this game. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also nearing a full recovery.
Arsenal have three victories in the first four rounds of the Premier League. They beat Fulham at Craven Cottage with 3:0, and beat West Ham and Sheffield United at home with identical 2:1. Willian, who came from Chelsea this Summer, assisted all three goals against Fulham. Alexandre Lacazette scored the opener, centre-back Gabriel doubled the lead, while the captain Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng set the final 3:0. Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah netted against the Hammers, while Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe found the back of the net in the narrow victory against the Blades. The only defeat was suffered at Anfield. Arsenal started very good against the reigning champions and secured an early lead through Lakazette, but conceded three times in the next period and lost 3:1. However, 9 points from the possible 12 is definitely a good result and I believe the fans are satisfied. Arteta is doing an excellent job and the next period will be crucial for the club ambitions. However, he has huge issues in front of this game. The key player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang withdrew from the Gabonese squad with a sprained ankle and he is in race with the time to be fit for the trip to Etihad. Kieran Tierney is also doubtful as had close contact with Scotland teammate Stuart Armstrong, who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thomas, who came from Atletico Madrid, will probably make his debut. Emile Smith Rowe, Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi remain sidelined, as well as longer-term absentees Gabriel Martinelli and Calum Chambers. The former star man Mesut Ozil has not been part of Arteta's plans so far and I expect to continue that way.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction:
I expect both teams to score at the Etihad. Manchester City scored and conceded on each of the three games so far in the Premier League. Arsenal, meanwhile scored on all four played matches, while kept clean sheet just once. This should be an interesting and efficient derby.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.61 with
Pinnacle