English Premier
2012-04-08 - Arsenal vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 8 April 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Arsenal
All of the talk ahead of this game will be about the importance of it for the away side and their hopes of extending the Premier League title race, but it cannot be forgotten that this means everything to Arsenal too. A poor 2-1 loss at QPR last week means there are a host of clubs queueing up behind them in the race for the Champions League places.
Arsenal are 3rd in the Premier League table, but they have the same number of points as Tottenham Hotspur, while Newcastle United are just 2 points behind. With Spurs and Chelsea playing on Saturday, it is conceivable that Arsenal have dropped back down to 4th and with 2 clubs only 2 points behind them when this game kicks off. The team have a 11-2-2 record at the Emirates Stadium this season, scoring 34 goals and conceding 12.
They had won 6 games in a row in all competitions, and 7 straight in the Premier League, before the surprise setback at Loftus Road last week. Arsenal have won 8 of their last 9 home games in all competitions, including the last 6 in a row, and they have scored at least 2 goals in each of the last 6 games at the Emirates Stadium.
Per Mertesacker, Jack Wilshire and Abou Diaby are all long-term absentees. However, the squad is about as injury free as it has been for most of the season.
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini has been vocal in saying that his side cannot win the Premier League title if they do not win this game at the Emirates Stadium, especially if Manchester United have beaten QPR earlier in the day. His side have been in a state of disharmony in recent weeks and they need to find a way to reunite if the title chase doesn't fizzle out sooner than expected.
Manchester City are 2nd in the Premier League table, but a 3-3 draw with Sunderland at home, coupled with Manchester United's 0-2 win at Blackburn Rovers, means they are now 5 points behind their local rivals. City have a 7-4-4 away record this season, scoring 28 goals and conceded 15 and only United have won more games on their travels.
However, their away form has really suffered in recent games and they have won just 2 of their last 9 in the League, earning a 1-1 draw in their last outing at Stoke City. All 4 League defeats they have suffered away from home have come in this 9 games run. City have picked up just 5 points from the last 12 available in the League as they have handed the initiative to United.
There is some positive news for City coming into this game, with Joleon Lescott and Sergio Aguero expected back in the starting line up. Samir Nasri is also available for this game, meaning Roberto Mancini has a full squad to choose from.
Head to Head
This is the third meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City this season, with City winning both the League game at home and the Carling Cup game here by the same 1-0 scoreline.
Arsenal were unbeaten in 28 home games against City in all competitions before that Carling Cup loss earlier this season.
The last two Premier League games here have both ended 0-0.
Prediction
There are a few things that can affect the mindset of the players when this game begins that could be hard to figure into how the game will be played out, but on the face of things, I think Manchester City are a remarkably big price at 3.00 to get the three points here.
They have not been playing well, but will be very pleased to have a full squad to choose from and bring Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany back as a pairing at the heart of the defence, while Sergio Aguero has been the talisman up front.
Arsenal had been playing well, but the loss to QPR will have knocked their confidence while they have had their share of late goals to earn wins recently. The problem for the home team is that they haven't convinced me that their defensive problems are settled and they have allowed teams to create a number of chances against them.
With the Gunners unlikely to get stuck in, I think the Manchester City players will be given the room to thrive here and will find spaces to create problems. They haven't played well away from home recently, but they should not be priced at 3.00 to win at a venue where they will be given the opportunity to play their football.
The home team will also be under pressure with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United closing in on them. I hope I am wrong, but I think City are worth the play for a small interest at the prices which look remarkably large.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
