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Battle for Premier League Title Set to Intensify When Two Protagonists Collide

Manchester City vs Arsenal - 31/03/2024

Battle for Premier League Title Set to Intensify When Two Protagonists Collide
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Manchester City entertain Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with a solitary point separating the title rivals in the Premier League standings.

As we enter the business end of the season, third-placed Man City trail table-topping Arsenal, while Liverpool are sandwiched between the two sides.

The result of Sunday’s showdown is set to have a huge impact on the title race. Accordingly, we have compiled all the key stats and trends in this preview.

Prior to the international break, Manchester City played out a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, despite facing a barrage of 19 shots at Anfield.

That result extended Man City’s unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 13 matches, with 10 wins and three draws coming since their last loss.

It is also worth remembering that Pep Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten at the Etihad this season, having won 10 and drawn four of their 14 home league games.

When you look at the bigger picture, City have avoided defeat in each of their last 43 home games across all competitions, with a solitary loss coming in their previous 54.

Meanwhile, Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory over Brentford before the international break, with Kai Havertz netting the winning goal in the 86th minute.

The Gunners have now won each of their last eight Premier League matches, scoring a whopping 33 goals in the process (4.1 goals per game).

In their previous three away league outings, Mikel Arteta’s men have netted 17 goals (5.7 goals per game), keeping a clean sheet in each of those victories.

Sitting atop the Premier League standings – one point clear of Man City – Arsenal will view Sunday’s clash as an excellent opportunity to strengthen their title bid.

Head-to-head: In the reverse fixture back in October, Arsenal claimed a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s 86th-minute winner.

That result ended Arsenal’s run of 12 straight Premier League defeats against Man City, who consistently tormented the Gunners between 2017 and 2023.

Team news: Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Matheus Nunes are all doubts for Manchester City this weekend.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are still without Jurrien Timber, while there are question marks over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Having ended their lengthy losing streak in this fixture last time around, Arsenal will be confident of notching back-to-back victories over City.

Forebet’s algorithm predicts that Manchester City and Arsenal will combine for over 2.5 goals, with the visitors outscoring the hosts on this occasion.

Home team
Away team
Probability %
1X2
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
EPL
272844
2
1 - 2
3.93
11°
4.00
1.85 3.60 4.00 no no no
FT
0 - 0(0 - 0)
-
- - -

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Premier League
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
Arsenal 77 34 24 5 5 56
2
Manchester City 76 33 23 7 3 48
3
Liverpool 75 35 22 9 4 41
4
Aston Villa 67 35 20 7 8 21
5
Tottenham 60 32 18 6 8 16
6
Manchester United 54 34 16 6 12 1
7
Newcastle United 53 34 16 5 13 19
8
West Ham 49 35 13 10 12 -9
9
Chelsea 48 33 13 9 11 4
10
Wolverhampton 46 35 13 7 15 -7
11
Bournemouth 45 34 12 9 13 -11
12
Brighton 44 33 11 11 11 -2
13
Fulham 43 35 12 7 16 -4
14
Crystal Palace 40 35 10 10 15 -12
15
Everton 36 35 12 8 15 -11
16
Brentford 35 35 9 8 18 -8
17
Nottingham Forest 26 34 7 9 18 -18
18
Luton Town 25 35 6 7 22 -29
19
Burnley 24 35 5 9 21 -32
20
Sheffield United 16 35 3 7 25 -63

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