Adam Scriven is tipping a win for the Gunners and a goal for their centre-forward in Sunday’s huge clash at the Emirates.
Arsenal and Manchester City finished as the top two in each of the last two Premier League campaigns but going into Sunday’s meeting at the Emirates, the Gunners are six points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s men.
In fairness, that gap could have been a lot bigger at this stage of the season following City’s woeful December in which they sustained three Premier League defeats.
But Man City look as though they have turned a corner recently, surviving a scare to defeat Club Brugge 3-1 on Wednesday and secure a spot in the Champions League knockout round playoffs.
It makes for an intriguing encounter at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal – the even-money favourites in the football betting – know they must win to keep pace with table-toppers Liverpool.
Arsenal v Man City tips
Arsenal to win 19/20
Kai Havertz to score at anytime 9/5
Over 10.5 corners 5/4
Gunners can lay down a marker
Ten-man Arsenal were within sight of a win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in September, only for a 98th-minute goal from John Stones to make it 2-2.
That was nonetheless an acceptable result for Mikel Arteta’s men and given they were able to curtail City before the team’s downward spiral, they should fancy their chances even more against Guardiola’s inconsistent side at the Emirates Stadium.
The Citizens have got back on track with some big wins in the league, including a 6-0 mauling of Ipswich and a 3-1 win against Chelsea, but there are still signs of vulnerability.
They lacked fluency and cohesion on Wednesday night and the nerves were clear to see when they went 1-0 down to Club Brugge.
Securing the win was all that mattered in the end but they could struggle against an Arsenal team who have won four of their last five matches in all competitions and have lost at home in 90 minutes just once this campaign. The value is with an Arsenal win.
Havertz looks a solid pick to find the net
Debate rages on about whether or not Kai Havertz can lead the Arsenal line and, while the general consensus is that the Gunners need a new striker, the German has still been impressive.
Havertz is Arsenal’s top scorer in all competitions with 14 goals and, having started on the bench against Girona on Wednesday, he should be sharper for the visit of City.
Back him to find the net at the Emirates.
Corner count should rise in north London
Arsenal’s set-piece wizardry is no secret in this season’s Premier League and they typically rack up the corners.
This season, they have been awarded 150 corners in their 23 league games, which is an average of 6.5 per game.
But City have had even more corners at 176 in 23 matches, giving them an average of 7.65.
If both teams hit their averages in this game, which could well be end-to-end, then there is value to be had in backing over 10.5 match corners at 6/5.
Best Bets
Draw @ 12/5
Total Goals Over 3.5 @ 2/1
Phil Foden First Goalscorer @ 8/1