The first of two Premier League matchups between the top title favorites in the 2024/25 season comes early as Man City hosts Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
It's an explosive meeting just five matches into the campaign, with Man City perfect through four league games and Arsenal just one draw off that record.
Both sides are, however, coming off scoreless draws to begin Champions League play midweek, with City held at home by Inter and Arsenal kept in check on the road in Italy against Atalanta.
While neither side has suffered defeat to this point, there are still questions for both sides at this early stage in the season. City have depth concerns after selling Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and Oscar Bobb down injured, with new signing Savinho sputtering to begin his career. Arsenal, meanwhile, have concerns in midfield as Martin Odegaard picked up a months-long injury, while Gabriel Martinelli continues to struggle with form.
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Man City vs. Arsenal prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+250)
- Score prediction: Man City 1-1 Arsenal
Last season, Arsenal picked up their first Premier League win over Man City since 2015, indicating they are up to Pep Guardiola's level and ready to challenge the established EPL powerhouses for titles in the coming years.
There are creativity issues for both teams to sort out, and against each other's top back line, it's hard to imagine either side finding enough room to score goals required to secure all three points. The loss of Martin Odegaard is significant for Arsenal, while City are without Kevin de Bruyne.
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Man City win | -125 |
| Draw | +250 |
| Arsenal win | +350 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -115 N: -125 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: -105 U: -135 |
| Man City -0.5 goals | -135 |
| Arsenal +0.5 goals | -105 |
Man City vs. Arsenal match facts
- Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. local (11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Etihad Stadium (Manchester, England)
- Referee: Michael Oliver, VAR: John Brooks.
- Last meeting: Man City 0-0 Arsenal (Mar. 31, 2024 | Premier League)
Man City vs. Arsenal best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: -130 (BetMGM)
Unfortunately, the odds on this selection plummeted in the run-up to the match, once sitting near 1/1 but falling down to -130. It's still the right play.
No Martin Odegaard or Kevin de Bruyne for this match means the two most creative players will miss out. Arsenal were not able to recreate Odegaard's production against Atalanta, and both sides have finishing issues from players on the left flank, as Gabriel Martinelli, Jack Grealish, and Savinho have been creative but struggle to make their own impact.
On the defensive side, both these teams are elite. Arsenal allowed just 0.30 xG to Atalanta outside of the Raya penalty double-save, while Man City punished Inter for leaving Lautaro Martinez on the bench as the Italian side managed zero big chances on 13 shots.
Man City vs. Arsenal prop bet
- Pick: Arsenal over 2.5 yellow cards
- Odds: +110 (FanDuel)
Arsenal have had a bit of an issue with discipline this season, having picked up 11 yellow cards in four games to this point, including three against Aston Villa in which today's official Michael Oliver was in charge.
Oliver has been card-happy this season, offering up four bookings apiece to both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest a week ago.
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