Manchester City v Arsenal: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Premier League champions Manchester City host their main title challengers Arsenal in a fascinating fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

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Manchester City v Arsenal betting tips and predictions

Under 1.5 goals - 12/5

Manchester City and Arsenal played some dazzling attacking football last season, when City pipped the Gunners to the Premier League title on the final day.

However, the top two teams in England largely cancelled each other out in their league meetings and Gabriel Martinelli's deflected late winner for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium was the only goal scored in the two games.

The Gunners, who had suffered 12 straight league defeats to City before the 2023/24 campaign, were understandably cautious against the champions last term.

Their hopes of taking three points in Manchester on Sunday have been dented by an injury to captain Martin Odegaard, whose drive and passing ability is a key part of their attacking gameplan.

Without the Norwegian playmaker, the Gunners needed a Gabriel Magalhaes header from a corner to claim a hard-fought 1-0 win at Tottenham last weekend and David Raya made a brilliant double-save from a penalty to earn a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has enjoyed a blistering start to the Premier League season, scoring nine goals in four games, but the Citizens also had a goalless stalemate in the UEFA Champions League.

Wednesday's visitors Inter Milan restricted Haaland to just 14 touches and he was also quiet in last season's league games against Arsenal.

Influential City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is a doubtful starter after suffering a groin strain against Inter so under 1.5 goals looks a decent bet at 12/5 as Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in their first five matches this term. 

Leandro Trossard over 0.5 shots on target - 11/8

Former City star Raheem Sterling is hoping to make an impact on his return to the Etihad but he is likely to start on the bench for Arsenal, with Leandro Trossard preferred on the left flank.

The Belgium international's clever movement and quick feet enable him to create chances in tight games and he scored 16 goals last season despite starting only 24 times in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

This term, Trossard came off the bench to break the deadlock in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Aston Villa and had a shot on target against his former club Brighton so he is a tempting price to test City goalkeeper Ederson on Sunday.

He scored two goals in his last four league appearances for Brighton against the Citizens, struck a late equaliser against them in last season's Community Shield and had one of Arsenal's two shots on target at the Etihad in March.

Kai Havertz to be booked - 12/5

The injury to Odegaard may mean a change in Kai Havertz's role for Arsenal but he looks a leading candidate for a booking whether he starts in midfield or up front. 

A midfield scrap with streetwise City stars Rodri and Mateo Kovacic would be a serious test of Havertz's discipline and he also gets stuck into his defensive work when playing as a striker.

The Germany international picked up 11 yellow cards in 30 Premier League starts last season and was cautioned in the first half-hour of the Community Shield fixture against the Citizens in August 2023.   

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Manchester City v Arsenal odds

Manchester City - 3/4
Draw - 13/5
Arsenal - 7/2

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.