Arsenal - Manchester City predictions and free betting tips [08/10/2023]

On Sunday, 8th October, during the 8th round of the Premier League, Arsenal will host Manchester City at their home ground. In the middle of the week, the Gunners lost to Lens away with a score of 1:2, while the Citizens beat RB Leipzig 3:1 just a day later.

Predicted Line-ups

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Vieira, Nketiah, Jesus.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland.

Stadium

The match will be held at the Emirates Stadium in London.

Arsenal

Arsenal last season was close to breaking their Premier League "drought". The London side topped the league table for a significant time before falling to second place. This season, the Gunners have already ousted Manchester City once in the Community Shield, winning on penalties after a 1:1 result during regular time. Undefeated in the league (5 wins, 2 draws), the Gunners currently occupy the 3rd position, just a point behind the table leader. After a 2:2 draw with Tottenham in the derby, the Gunners spectacularly defeated Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium with a 4:0 scoreline. However, on Tuesday, Arsenal surprisingly lost 2:1 to Lens in an away game. Since the start of last season, Arsenal has suffered defeat in only two Premier League home games.

Arteta's guys have continued to let in goals in each of their games at the Emirates Stadium in the current domestic campaign. Injured Dutch defender Timber (transfer from Ajax), who arrived in London in summer, has not yet recovered from the injury sustained in the first round. Partey is on the Arsenal injury list, with the participation of wingers Martinelli and Saka (4 goals, 2 assists) still in doubt. Saka started against Lens but was subbed off in the first half. All other key players are available, including captain Ødegaard (3 goals, 1 assist), Declan Rice and Havertz. German midfielder Havertz scored his maiden goal for the new club against Bournemouth last weekend. Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus will also start.

Manchester City

Last season, Manchester City not only secured another Premier League title but also claimed their first ever Champions League. The Citizens will do everything possible to replicate this triumph: they lead the table, one point clear of their closest competitors. The visitors won the first six Premier League matches, but over the past weekend, the Blues suffered their opening defeat: losing 2:1 at Wolverhampton. The Citizens redeemed themselves with a 3:1 win over Leipzig in Group G of the Champions League. Lois Openda scored an equaliser after Phil Foden's early second-half goal, but Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku's precise strikes earned the English side three points.

Surprisingly, in 2023 Guardiola's side has managed only four clean sheets away from home in the Premier League so far. Kevin De Bruyne remains sidelined, with his return to the team expected no earlier than in several months. Holding midfielder Rodri is serving his suspension while Stones and Bernardo Silva have recently come back from their injuries. Erling Haaland, Premier League's top scorer of the last season, has already netted eight goals in the current campaign. He creates an effective duo with Julian Alvarez (3 goals, 3 assists), and they are supported on the flank by Doku. Rico Lewis will try to oust either Mateus Nunes or Mateo Kovacic from the starting line-up.

Head-to-Head

In their last 10 meetings, Arsenal has won only once, drew once and had eight losses. However, the victory did come at the start of the current season: in the Community Shield, the Gunners came out on top, winning on penalties with an overall scoreline of 2:1.

Match Prediction for Arsenal vs. Manchester City

City is missing two of their central field leaders - Rodri and De Bruyne, providing Arsenal with an excellent opportunity to delight the Emirates Stadium audience with a long-awaited victory over the Citizens in the Premier League. Rumour has it that Saka's injury is minor, meaning the host's attack will be laden with stars. However, City is still the world-class team when it comes to positional attack. I'll place a bet on a draw.

Total Goals Prediction

Both sides possess formidable attacking lines, having scored 32 goals combined in 7 opening rounds. My prediction is: both will score and over 2.5 total goals.

Corner Predicion

I expect an open game from both sides, with numerous goal-scoring opportunities, hence many corners. I'll place a bet on total corners over 9.5.

Yellow Cards Prediction

Given the intensity on the field and the importance of the match from a tournament point of view, it's reasonable to bet on total yellow cards over 4.5.

Score Prediction

I'll bet on the exact score being 2:2.