Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
The standout fixture of the round, as Arsenal look to avenge their controversial first-leg draw, when Manchester City equalised in the 98th minute and Arsenal were reduced to ten men early on. With both teams battling near the top of the table, this match will have major title implications.
Arsenal
When these teams met in matchday 5, Manchester City were top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal. Since then, they have struggled, while Arsenal have surged to second place. Arsenal haven’t lost a league game since 2 November, though two recent draws in their last seven matches have prevented them from catching Liverpool at the summit. They have been exceptionally strong defensively, conceding just nine goals in their last ten matches. Their disciplined backline will make things difficult for Manchester City, and at home, they will feel confident of getting a result.
Manchester City
Manchester City barely scraped through to the Champions League knockout stage, securing a necessary final-round win over Club Brugge. However, their defensive issues remain—as seen in the 4:2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and the recent 3:1 victory over Chelsea, where a defensive lapse from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov immediately led to a goal. Rúben Dias remains injured, leaving Pep Guardiola with limited options at the back.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction
Manchester City will likely score, given their firepower, but Arsenal look far more composed and confident at the moment. With home advantage and their solid defensive structure, they should at least avoid defeat in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
