Prediction: Manchester City vs Arsenal

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With all eyes falling on the Etihad this weekend, Manchester City will welcome Arsenal to town for what promises to be a heavyweight showdown on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, although Manchester City might have been left frustrated earlier in the week as they opened their Champions League account with a 0-0 stalemate at home against Italian giants Inter Milan, Pep Guardiola’s squad have only continued on a sensational domestic romp since opening up the new campaign. Marking their return from September’s international break with a comeback at the Etihad as they secured a 2-1 win against Brentford, the Sky Blues have won all of their first four Premier League appearances. Getting proceedings underway on August 18th as they claimed a 2-0 victory away at Chelsea, Man City are the only club among England’s elite that can boast a 100% start. Making real history last season as they became the first side in English history to clinch four consecutive Premier League titles, Sunday’s hosts will be looking to make a major early statement here.

Team News

Limping off at half-time against Inter Milan while in Champions League action earlier in the week, Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne. Suffering a muscle injury during September’s international break, ex-Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake will not feature here.

Only continuing to shatter a string of domestic records and already notching nine goals in his first four Premier League appearances, Erling Haaland will be looking to extend on his remarkable romp this weekend. England international Phil Foden could make a first start of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, also opening their own respective Champions League adventure with a 0-0 stalemate away at Italian outfit Atalanta earlier in the week, Arsenal are seeking an immediate response here. Marking their return from September’s international break with a famous 1-0 victory away at arch-rivals Tottenham, Mikel Areta’s men have collected 10 points from their first four Premier League appearances so far this season. Although Sunday’s guests might have continued to gain a reputation for their defensive resolve, Arsenal will be worried by a downbeat top-flight record against the defending champions. In fact, the Gunners have recorded just a single Premier League victory against Man City since way back in January 2015. Despite being pencilled in as the Sky Blues’ main title challengers this season, Arteta’s side will be bracing themselves for a stern examination.

Team News

Missing out away at Atalanta earlier in the week, Arsenal have confirmed that influential skipper Martin Odegaard will not feature at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance after arriving from Real Sociedad this summer, Spain international Mikel Merino remains on the sidelines.

Despite completing a sensational Deadline Day move from Arsenal, former Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling will likely settle for a spot on the bench here. Already registering a pair of Premier League appearances so far this season, Kai Havertz will be deployed in a false nine role this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Arsenal last met back on March 31st, Sunday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at the Etihad.
• Arsenal have recorded just a single Premier League victory against the defending champions since way back in January 2015.
• Both Manchester City and Arsenal played out their own respective Champions League 0-0 stalemates in midweek.
• The Gunners have conceded just a single goal from any of their first five appearances across all competitions so far this season.
• The previous three meetings between the Premier League giants have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

With both Manchester City and Arsenal opening their respective Champions League adventures with 0-0 stalemates in midweek, we could be set for a real chess match on Sunday afternoon. Watching the two Premier League title contenders play out a goals draw when they last met at the Etihad back on March 31st, chances could come at a premium here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet