Prediction: Arsenal vs Manchester City

7th April 2012

Arsenal can deliver a major blow to City’s title dreams as well as boost their top 4 hopes with a win at the Emirates, but the Gunners are aware that will be no easy task. The Citizens have no choice but to win this game in order to stay close to Manchester United seeing that Red Devils are expected to have an easy job against QPR.

Arsenal have enjoyed a genuine revival over the last six weeks and they have got to be given credit for climbing to third place in the standings after trailing Tottenham by ten points a month and a half ago. The Gunners’ six-match winning run came to an abrupt end as they were beaten by relegation-threatened QPR, allowing Spurs and Newcastle to narrow the gap behind them. After the Magpies won at Liberty Stadium, Arsenal’s advantage is now just two points and in such a situation the Gunners have got to search for a win, even if they are set to tackle arguably the best side in the top flight. Arsene Wenger and his men should have more than enough motives to give their best in this match seeing that they lost several important players to City over the last couple of years, with Toure, Clichy and Nasri all arriving to Emirates as public enemies. The good news is that Wenger has no fresh injury worries at the moment, although Abou Diaby and Francis Coquelin are unlikely to be included as they still lack match fitness.

Manchester City’s title dream is slowly fading away and Citizens are in such a situation that not even all seven wins can guarantee them a league trophy. Roberto Mancini’s side are set to welcome Manchester United to Etihad on 30th April and that clash is probably the only reason why the title fight remains open, but any result other than away win at the Emirates is likely to end City’s push for the league title. Everybody at the club is well aware of that and they are praying for the second chance after back to back draws against Stoke and Sunderland saw United move five points clear at the top. City’s poor away form is another cause for concern, with the record of 3 wins in last 11 games on the travels hardly enough to feel confident before the trip to North London. Roberto Mancini has received a welcoming boost as Joleon Lescott and Sergio Aguero resumed training before the all-important clash with Arsenal, whereas Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri should both start after being rested for the Sunderland game.

Conclusion

Arsenal are clearly in a better shape than their opponents in spite of the defeat to QPR and I feel they are closer to a win here. Manchester City are under extreme pressure after suffering a new blow to their title hopes and I seriously doubt they can show a massive improvement at the Emirates.

Verdict: Arsenal Draw no bet

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Sportingbet