Match of the Week: Manchester City v Arsenal

By on

Manchester City can take a big step toward top three while Arsenal needs three points to add distance to their followers. The Match of the Week takes place at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Manchester City v Arsenal
Premier League Round 16
City of Manchester Stadium
14-12-2013@ 12.45 UK









How are the two teams form?

After the weekends draw against Southampton, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches and is currently 4th in the table. Sergio Aguero is second on the topscorer list with 12 goals so far this season. The Argentinian striker has scored in the last two matches.

Arsenal are flying at the moment and are also unbeaten in their last four matches. They are currently 1st in the Premier League, 5 points clear of Liverpool 2nd. Arsenal's top scorer is currently Aaron Ramsey with 8 goals this season, and the midfielder has been one of the profiles so far.

Both clubs have a Champions League match to play before the first meeting of the season. The last meeting between the two sides was a friendly in August which Arsenal won 3-1.

What are the probable line-ups?

Stevan Jovetic, Matija Nastasic and David Silva are all unavailable for Manchester City due to calf injuries. Furthermore, Richard Wright is out with a knock. For Arsenal Diaby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are out with knee injuries while Ryo Miyachi, Lukas Podolski and Bacary Sagna are struggling with hamstring injuries. Yaya Sanogo is still suffering with a back injury.

Hart

Zabaleta - Demichelis - Kompany - Clichy

Navas - Touré - Fernandinho - Nasri

Aguero - Negredo
_____________________________________

Giroud

Cazorla  - Ozil - Wilshere

Arteta - Ramsey

Gibbs - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Jenkinson

Szczesny

What to expect from this match?

Last time Arsenal visited Manchester they lost at Old Trafford, and it will not be any easier at the City of Manchester Stadium. Both teams are on an unbeaten streak, but I expect one of the teams to walk off the picth as losers - this will not end in a draw. Arsenal is in a position where they don't have to control the match, and can allow City to come forward. And City will come forward as this is their home, and three will mean a difference before going into the Christmas program. Aguero is playing well at the moment, and can be decisive on Saturday, but at the same time Arsenal's defends looks better than ever. I expect this match to be close, but Arsenal to pull out with a 1-0 victory.

What are the odds?

Manchester City are favorites with most bookmakers, and Boylesports are holding a 20/21 odds on the sky blue. BetVictor offers a 14/5 on a draw while Coral gives 7/2 for an Arsenal victory.
0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , , , ,

Match of the Week: Arsenal - Bayern Munich

By on

Champions League is Arsenal's only chance of bringing a trophy to Emirates Stadium this season. However, the opponent is no other than mighty Bayern Munich.

 
Champions League 1/8 finals
Emirates Stadium
19-02-2013 @ 19.45 UK

How are the two teams form?

After Saturday's surprising FA Cup exit, Arsenal only have the Champions League title to fight for. The latest six Arsenal matches has ended in 3 wins, 1 draw and the lost match against Blackburn Saturday. The Gunners are currently positioned fifth in the Premier League while they ended second after Schalke in their Champions League group.

Bayern Munich Friday won 3-0 against Wolfsburg and is keeping their streak of 13 matches without loosing. The Germans are currently first in the German 1. Bundesliga and ended first in their Champions League group, in front of Valencia.

The latest four meetings between the two teams have ended in two victories for Bayern Munich, a draw and a single win for Arsenal.

What is the probable starting XI?


Arsenal is without a decent left back as Kieran Gibbs is out with an injury, and Santos has joined Brazilian side Gremio on a loan. Furthermore, Nacho Monreal is not registered for the Champions League.

Munich's Holger Badstuber, Javi Martinez and Claudio Pizarro are all injured and not in play for the match against Arsenal.

Szczesny

Sagna - Mertesacker - Vermaelen - Jenkinson

Arteta - Cazorla
Walcott - Wilshere - Podolski
Giroud
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gomez

Ribery - Müller - Robben

Schweinsteiger - Alaba

Lahm - Dante - Van Buyten - Boateng

Neuer

What to expect from this match?

Arsenal's form is shocking at the moment, and they won't have many chances against Munich is they don't step up to the challenge. Overall Munich seems as the best team with quality players on almost all positions. However, Arsenal might be able to exploit Munich defends as the normal starter Badstuber is missing.

Arsenal will probably aim to pull of a goalless draw and hope for a better change in Munich. I predict that we will see a defensive Arsenal, who will be playing on contra strikes. Meanwhile, Munich will probably be the most dominant team on the pitch and put Arsenal under a major pressure. The question is if Arsenal can hold them back.

What are the odds?

Bayern Munich is by far the most popular bet according to oddschecker.com. Both BetVictor and Bluesquare gives a 11/10 odds on Munich, while a draw gives the odds of 45/17 by Pinnacle. The same bookmaker gives a 54/19 back on an Arsenal victory. Betting on the result, a 3-1 victory to Bayern Munich gives back 20.

0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , , , ,