The second matchup of the English Premier League Round 30 played on Sunday is the duel between the highly ranked Arsenal FC and Manchester City. Blues from Manchester will be traveling to London where they’ll be hosted by the struggling Gunners. It is a game with great implications for the top of the league table should provide us with some interesting attacking soccer. Our focus here will be on analyzing teams’ tendencies so far in order to give you some insight on what could be an easy bet.
ARSENAL FC vs. MANCHESTER CITY FC
3-Way: 1: Arsenal FC +215; X: +276 Draw; Manchester City FC +140
Spread +0.5: Arsenal -137; Manchester City +135
Total +3 : Over -102; Under -102
Arsenal FC is going through a rough period lately with the voices of fans that don’t support boss Arsene Wenger getting louder. The Frenchman is going through one of the worst periods of his 21 years tenure at the Arsenal helm. The team is currently ranked sixth on the league table with 50 points in 27 games. They have lost four of their last five games and they are 3-1-4 in their last eight games. Arsenal is 3-0-1 in their last four home games and 9-2-2 overall at home with 26-13 goal difference (56-34 overall). The Gunners have scored in each of their last 18 matches and 70% of Arsenal’s matches had over 2.5 goals scored in total (64% of home matches). Arsenal players have also scored in 92% of their home matches and they score 2.0 and concede 1.0 goals per match at home. Most common results at the Emirates are 3-1, 2-1 and 2-0 (all occurred twice). Another interesting fact is that 48% of Arsenal matches are over 3.5 goals (31% of home matches). Team ranks fifth on the home league table with 29 of 39 possible points earned. Questioned about the importance of good form in month of April Wenger stated that “It’s not only the period that matters – it is a decisive period – but also what is at stake for us is how we respond mentally to a disappointing period and how much we can focus and stick together now.” Alexis Sanchez tops the team in scoring this season with 18 goals while Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have eight goals each on their accounts. Sanchez also leads the team in assists with nine while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mesut Ozil collected four each. Granit Xhaka tops the team in passing with 1.419 total passes while Ozil ranks second with 1.366.
Kieran Gibbs (Knock) is a slight doubt for a Sunday game. Petr Cech (Calf Strain) is expected to be out until at least April 10th, Santi Cazorla is expected to be out until at least July 1st and Lucas Perez’s (Thigh Strain) date of return is not specified.
Manchester City FC ranks third in the league table with 57 points in 28 games and a positive result at the Emirates would greatly improve their chances of finishing in one of the top four spots that lead into the Champions League play next season. Unusual help might be provided by Mikel Arteta who spent last five years at the Emirates as a player but joined City’s coaching staff during the summer after retiring from playing. “He is helping me a lot. He knows the players individually, he knows Arsene Wenger, he knows what we are facing on Sunday and he has already warned me that it is going to be a really tough game,” were the words of head coach Pep Guardiola during the yesterday’s press conference. Manchester City is undefeated in their last seven matches with a 4-3-0 record. They are 3-0-1 in their last four away games and they have won the last three road matches with no goals conceded. They’ve won 71% of their away matches (10-0-4 away record) with 30-16 goal difference (54-30 overall). 71% of City’s away games are over 2.5 goals and 43% of their away matches are over 3.5 goals in total with 1-2 being the most common result on the road (occurred three times). Sergio Aguero tops the team in scoring this season with 13 goals while Raheem Sterling has six, and Nolito has four goals. Kevin de Bruyne leads the team in assists with 10 (second in the league) while Sterling has six and David Silva has five. Aleksandar Kolarov leads the passing segment with 1.615 total passes while David Silva ranks second with 1.606.
Raheem Sterling (Back Injury), Kevin de Bruyne (Groin Injury), Bacary Sagna (Groin Strain) and Pablo Zabaleta (Knock) are all available and should be fit to play on Sunday. Gabriel Jesus (Metatarsal Fracture) and Ilkay Gundogan (ACL Knee Injury) are both out for the season.
The Arsenal vs. Manchester City is marked as the most interesting matchup of the round. The first encounter of the season in Manchester went City’s way 2-1. Last match at the Emirates went Arsenal’s way 2-0. Last time City has won in London was four years ago (January 13, 2013) when the final score was 0-2. My money is on a draw and at least one goal by both teams.
MY PICK: Draw (+276)
Optional Pick: Both teams to score YES
