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Manchester City v Arsenal Prediction
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Manchester City v Arsenal, 16:10
Author: Thomas Rooney 15/12/2011
This weekend’s Super Sunday fixture truly lives up to its name as Premier League leaders Manchester City host a difficult to predict Arsenal side.
For City, it is the chance to bounce back positively from the defeat to Chelsea last time out. This 2-1 loss – as well as the fact that they could be 2nd by the time this one gets underway – served as a timely reminder of all the hard work they have ahead of them this year.
Many starting suggesting that Roberto Mancini’s men were well on course for their first Premier League title, but although they are still the favourites, they would love to hammer home this point against Arsenal.
They are expected to do so too, for one reason above all others – they are at home. So far at the Etihad Stadium this season, they have won all seven games, scoring an impressive 24 goals in the process.
It’s not as if they have been dodgy at the back either, having conceded only four goals at home in the league this year. So, regardless of the opposition, City will be pleased to be back in front of their home fans as they look to respond perfectly to the Chelsea defeat.
As for the team looking to get something from the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal have had a very interesting season so far. They started terribly and have since recovered well, but there have been some bizarre results along the way.
Look at their games against the other big teams as an example. They went down 8-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford, before beating Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge. They also lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool back in August.
So what can we expect from them this weekend? Well, they have been professional in their last two games, securing victories against Wigan and Everton, but they will have to step it up a gear against City.
It will be interesting to see the approach they adopt for this game. Their most recent success has been based around a more solid, Thomas Vermaelen inspired back-line, but can they really keep City out?
For the neutral, it would be fantastic if Arsenal went for the win and hit City on the counter-attack whenever possible. It would make for a thrilling game and a fitting finale to the weekend’s action in the Premier League.
Finally, this game cannot be discussed without the mention of Samir Nasri. The City midfielder made the switch from Arsenal to Manchester in the summer and it seems fair to say that the Arsenal fans will make their feelings about him very clear indeed.
Whether or not he plays is another matter of course, but regardless, it is City’s attacking options and impressive home form that mean they will come away from this one with the points.
Match bet: Manchester City @ 7/10 with Bet365 - (£200 100% deposit bonus)
Correct score prediction: Manchester City 3:1 @ 14.5 with Betfair
Watch Thomas Rooney and Pete South discuss the game below together with own predictions on the match.