Defending champions Manchester City will host Arsenal to kick off the third matchday of the Premier League. The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium at 5:00 PM IST on Saturday, August 28.
Manchester City
After having gone through a rough patch that saw them lose consecutive matches to Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, the Premier League champions were back at their best last week. They executed a 5-0 rout of Norwich City where Jack Grealish scored his first goal for the club.
The Cityzens boast an imperious record over Arsenal as of late and hope to continue the run of dominance.
Manchester City will have to continue without Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, who are still nursing their injuries from national duty. While the Belgian playmaker has a few minutes under his belt, he is not tipped to start.
Arsenal
The Gunners are off to a poor start in the league. They recorded twin 2-0 defeats against fellow London clubs Brentford and Chelsea. They bounced back with a dominant win at The Hawthorns where the returning Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored a hattrick.
Arsenal’s away record against the ‘Big 6’ has been woeful with their wi at Old Trafford last season being the only win in the recent past.
While the club welcomes back the strike partnership of Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, they will still be without the services of Ben White and Thomas Partey. New signing Martin Odegaard is touted to be available for selection as well.
Waging Odds: Manchester City (1.25) vs Arsenal (11.00) (Draw- 6.00)
Manchester City are favourites and are priced at 1.25, meaning if you bet ₹100 on them and if they win the match, you’ll be making ₹125.
Arsenal are priced at 11.00 and are the underdogs. Betting ₹100 on them will earn you ₹1100 if they come out as winners.
The odds for a draw are placed at 6.00. Betting ₹100 on it will earn you ₹600 if they come out as winners.
Our Prediction:
Arsenal will have to perform a lot better to avoid three straight Premier League defeats to start their season off. The home side will be at their best to thwart the other side from North London. Manchester City will have the bulk of the possession and the vulnerable Arsenal defence will have to be at their best to ward off the constant attack and chances created. Expect a 3-0 win for Manchester City with the wingers particularly in focus.
Also Read:
Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy suspended following four counts of rape, sexual assault charges
