Man City vs Arsenal Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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It's an early meeting between the two teams expected to compete for the Premier League title again, as Arsenal take on defending champions Man City at the Etihad on Sunday.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 22nd September, 2024: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30pm / US PT – 8:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – NBC.com
MAN CITY PREVIEW: BUSINESS AS USUAL
It's been a perfect start for the reigning champions in the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola's men having won all five of their games to date, thanks in large part to the incredible goalscoring exploits of Erling Haaland.
City were held at home by Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, in what was a repeat of the 2022-23 final. It was the first time City have been kept scoreless since a 0-0 draw with this weekend's opponent's Arsenal back in March.
ARSENAL PREVIEW: PRETENDERS TO THE THRONE
It's been a huge week for Arsenal with their north London derby win over Spurs was a followed by a goalless draw in their UEFA Champions League opener against Atalanta, with David Raya the hero in the latter contest having saved a penalty in the second half.
Mikel Arteta will be reminding his side that, despite the fact they came up short in the final Premier League table, they took four points from their title rivals last season and didn't concede a goal in either fixture.
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS: DE BRUYNE COULD MAKE IT
A groin injury forced Kevin De Bruyne off at half-time against Inter Milan, but Guardiola has stated that the Belgian is already feeling better and could be available to face Arsenal.
Phil Foden shouldn't be too far away from a first start of the season, while Kyle Walker could return to the starting line-up on Sunday.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE: Ake (Injured), Bobb (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: De Bruyne (Injured)
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: ODEGAARD OUT
Martin Odegaard is the key absentee for the Gunners and it remains to be seen how long the Norwegian is out for, so Kai Havertz may be needed to fulfil a midfield role once again. Declan Rice, suspended last weekend, is a welcome returnee in the middle of the park.
Riccardo Calafiori returned from injury to make a cameo against Atalanta but the summer signing is unlikely to force his way into Arteta's established backline just yet.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
UNAVAILABLE: Merino (Injured), Tierney (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Ødegaard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zinchenko (Injured)
MAN CITY VS ARSENAL PREDICTION
It almost feels a little too early in the season for what could be a crucial game in the title race, but Man City know that even if they drop points in this fixture - as they did on both occasions last season - they have what it takes to outlast the Gunners over the long haul.
The key battle here will be whether Williams Saliba and Gabriel can contain the red hot Erling Haaland, who has been in sensational scoring form in the Premier League. Arsenal have been hugely impressive at the back though, conceding just once in their five competitive games this season, and Arteta would likely settle for a point at the Etihad again.
An intense tactical battle should ensue, which could lead to a low-scoring yet intriguing affair.
MAN CITY VS ARSENAL TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
