Prediction: Manchester City vs Arsenal

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what looks set to be a season-defining showdown from the Etihad on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Arsenal to town for what is a heavyweight affair.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might still find themselves sat five points adrift of Wednesday’s guests and defending their Premier League crown, Pep Guardiola’s side are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum. Now feeling like they’re in pole position to defend their domestic crown this season, Pep Guardiola’s side have certainly found top gear at a crucial time. Last seen over the weekend punching their FA Cup final ticket thanks to a routine 3-0 victory against Championship high-flyers Sheffield United, the one-time Barcelona boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Likewise, extending on their Champions League adventure last week as they cruised their way to a 4-1 aggregate romp against German giants Bayern Munich, the Sky Blues have certainly found a major clinical edge in the final third. Without a single defeat from any of their last 16 appearances across all competitions, City will be desperate to make a heavyweight statement here.

Team News

In what is a major blow for Arsenal on Wednesday night, Arsenal have confirmed that French international defender William Saliba will once again miss out due to a back injury. Likewise, the Gunners will be without Takehiro Tomiyasu for the remainder of the season.

The former Manchester City duo of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko will feature at the Etihad here. Continuing to shine this season and recording 28 Premier League goals between them, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka will spearhead Arsenal’s attack in midweek.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, while Arsenal might have continued to impress many across the Premier League this season, it appears that Mikel Arteta’s young squad are enduring a recent wobble since returning from March’s international break. Although the Gunners might have been last seen snatching a stunning 3-3 draw at home against leading relegation scrappers Southampton, the midweek guests have now had to settle for a single point in each of their last three Premier League appearances. With the defending champions now breathing firmly down their neck, Arteta will have a headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Playing out back-to-back 2-2 draws against Liverpool and West Ham earlier in the month, the Gunners have recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous nine straight outings – a run that stems back to a 4-0 win against Everton on March 1st. Although Arsenal might travel to the Etihad on Wednesday night still holding a five-point buffer, they face a season-defining showdown here.

Team News

Picking up a hamstring injury away in Munich last week, Manchester City will once again be without the versatile Nathan Ake on Wednesday night. However, aside from the one-time Chelsea starlet, Guardiola has reported a clean bill of health here.

Mustering a staggering 32 Premier League strikes this season and breaking a string of records, Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s free-scoring attack at the Etihad. The ex-Borussia Dortmund ace will once again be joined in the final third by England international Jack Grealish.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on February 15th, Manchester City claimed a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues have won each of their last seven straight meetings against Arsenal across all competitions.
• Man City have won each of their last 12 straight appearances at the Etihad since opening up 2023.
• In fact, Guardiola’s side have notched a staggering 43 strikes in those 12 straight victories at the Etihad.
• Arsenal have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last nine appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might still find themselves holding a five-point buffer over the defending champions, Arteta’s young squad will know that they face a huge challenge at the Etihad on Wednesday night. Now forced to settle for a single point in each of their last three straight Premier League appearances, the midweek guests have also shown some extended defensive issues. Meeting a Manchester City side who are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum, the Sky Blues will also be excited by a rampant record against their bitter title rivals. Claiming a 3-1 romp when they traveled to north London for their reverse top-flight meeting on February 15th, City have won each of their last seven meetings against Arsenal. In what should be a title-deciding showdown on Wednesday night, we are backing a lively home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet