Man City vs Arsenal Preview & Prediction | English Premier League 2024–25

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It is an early meeting between the two teams expected to once again challenge for the Premier League title when Arsenal face defending champions Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

START DATE/TIME: Sunday 22^and
September 2024: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30pm / US PT – 8:30am

HOW TO WATCH IT ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – NBC.com

MAN-CITY PREVIEW: Everything is running as usual

It has been a perfect start for the reigning Premier League champions: Pep Guardiola's side have won all five of their games so far, thanks in large part to the incredible goalscoring abilities of Erling Haaland.

City were held to a halt at home by Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in what was a rematch of the 2022-23 final. It was the first time City had been held goalless since a 0-0 draw with Arsenal, this weekend's opponents, in March.

ARSENAL PREVIEW: Pretender to the throne

It's been a great week for Arsenal, following up their North London derby win against Spurs with a goalless draw in their UEFA Champions League opener against Atalanta. In the latter game, David Raya was the hero after saving a second-half penalty.

Mikel Arteta will remind his side that despite failing to finish bottom of the Premier League table last season, they took four points off their title rivals and did not concede a goal in either of their two games.

MAN-CITY TEAM NEWS: DE BRUYNE COULD DO IT

Due to a groin injury, Kevin De Bruyne had to be substituted at half-time in the match against Inter Milan, but Guardiola stated that the Belgian is already feeling better and may be available for the match against Arsenal.

Phil Foden should not be too far away from his first start of the season, while Kyle Walker could return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

PREDICTED eleven (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland

NOT AVAILABLE: Ake (injured), Bobb (injured)

QUESTIONABLE: De Bruyne (injured)

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS: ODEGAARD ​​OUT

Martin Odegaard is the key player missing for the Gunners and it remains to be seen how long the Norwegian will be out for, so Kai Havertz could be back in midfield. Declan Rice, who was suspended last weekend, is a welcome return to midfield.

Riccardo Calafiori returned from injury and made a cameo appearance against Atalanta, but the summer signing is unlikely to force his way into Arteta's established back line any time soon.

PREDICTED eleven (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

NOT AVAILABLE: Merino (Injured), Tierney (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Ødegaard (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Zinchenko (injured)

MAN-CITY US ARSENAL FORECAST

It almost feels a little too early in the season for this potentially decisive game in the title race, but Man City know that even if they drop points in this game – as they did both times last season – they have what it takes to challenge the Gunners in the long run.

The key battle will be whether Williams, Saliba and Gabriel can contain the red-hot Erling Haaland, who is in sensational goalscoring form in the Premier League. Arsenal have impressed hugely at the back, however, conceding just one goal in their five competitive matches this season, and Arteta would likely settle for a point again at the Etihad.

An intense tactical battle is likely to follow, which could lead to a low-scoring but nevertheless exciting affair.

MAN-CITY US ARSENAL TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS