Football Results

We had seen the two teams last weekend in the great final of English League Cup, when leading team of the Premier League, Manchester City, confirmed once again its dominance with sound victory over Arsenal of 3-0. The Gunners from London are in difficult situation in the league as 11 rounds before the end they occupy mere sixth place. We need to add that they were defeated at the Etihad stadium last autumn by 3-1.

Arsenal

Right those two defeats should be sufficient motive for manager Wenger players to finally try to do something in this postponed match of the 28th round of English Premier League against very good Manchester Ciy on Thursday evening. Besides, against them Arsenal has at its Emirates stadium four-game unbeaten streak of two wins and two draws, but at the moment it lags behind for 10 points behind positions that lead to the Champions League.

Current difference between the two teams could be best seen in recently played final of the League Cup, so experienced manager Wenger simply must try to find a new recipe in order to stop very good Manchester City ahead of league match with them. Compared to Sunday’s head-to-head  goalkeeper Cech and offensive midfielder Mkhitaryan should return in the starting line-up, while due to injuries out of action are defender Monreal, midfielder Cazorla and forward Lacazette.

Probable lineups Arsenal: Cech – Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Kolasinac – Ramsey, Xhaka, Wilshere – Mkhitaryan, Ozil – Aubameyang

Manchester City

Although they were regarded as favourites to win the final match of the League Cup very few expected that the Citizens will so easily dispatch the Gunners from London, especially as they before the match suffered a shocking defeat by third-division Wigan in the FA Cup. It appears that Sunday was just a bad day for Guardiola players who fully control match at the Wembley and in then end won by 3-0. In that way they won the first title since Guardiola arrived to Manchester City.

Of course, it is expected that the City keeps the first place in the Premier League table by the end of season given they have even 16 points more than 2nd-placed Manchester United 11 rounds before the end of season, while their ambitions in the Champions League are definitely big. Let’s add that midfielder Fernandinho got injured in the final of League Cup and he and defender Mendy will definitely skip league match with Arsenal, while on the bench will probably stay not fully recovered forwards Sterling and Jesus.

Probable lineups Manchester City: Ederson – Walker, Stones, Laporte, Delph – de Bruyne, Gundogan, D. Silva – B. Silva, Aguero, Sane

Verdict:

Regardless of defeat of even 3-0 suffered just four days ago in the final of the League Cup we believe that now in the league the Gunners should be able to put better resistance to the Citizens, especially as they have positive series against them at the Emirates of two wins and two draws.

Pick:  Asian handicap +0.25 Arsenal 2.53 - 153/100 @1XBet