The Sunday matinee that sees Manchester City travel to Arsenal FC is probably the weekend’s headliner fixture in the Premier League, even though the match is not what exactly what it sounds like it would be on paper. It’s the only all big six clash this weekend, but this is not your father’s Arsenal.
It’s not even your older brother’s Arsenal. As for City, they’re pretty much eliminated from the league title race, so this isn’t a massive clash for them either. The visitors are heavily tipped to win, as they should be, given the current state of affairs at the Emirates. Interim manager Freddie Ljungberg has a few fitness issues to contend with for this one.
Defender and summer transfer window acquisition Kieran Tierney will miss out after dislocating his shoulder in the win over West Ham United on Monday night.
It also might be too early for Hector Bellerin, who also got hurt on Monday night, suffering a less severe muscular injury during warm ups. Finally, disgraced former captain and midfielder Granit Xhaka is out after having sustained a concussion. So with some key players missing, here’s what we came up with for our first team prediction.
Arsenal FC starting XI Prediction vs Manchester City
Aubameyang
Ozil Martinelli Pepe
Torreira Guendouzi
Chambers Luiz Sokratis Kolasinac
Leno
Manchester City at Arsenal FC FYIs
Manchester City team news, starting XI prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Emirates Stadium, Sunday December 15th, 4:30pm
Google Result Probability: Manchester City win 68%, Draw 17%, Arsenal FC win 15%
Form Guide: Manchester City LWDWL Arsenal FC WLDDL
Prediction: Manchester City 4, Arsenal 2
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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