English Premier
2012-09-23 - Manchester City vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 23 September 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester City
Joe Hart was extremely emotional in the aftermath of their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid, but his reaction did not go down well with manager Roberto Mancini. Now the whole team is going to want to bounce back and put on a performance in front of their own fans against a potential title challenger.
City are 4th in the Premier League table as they remain unbeaten with 8 points to their name, and they have won both home games they have played so far. The team are 2-0-0 at home with 6 goals scored and 3 conceded in those games, although City have failed to win any of their 3 away games in all competitions this season.
They have won 5 in a row in all competitions at the Etihad Stadium and have won 12 of their last 13 games here. Goals have not been an issue for City, with the team scoring at least 3 goals in 10 of their last 13 at home and only once failing to score 1 goal. City have been even more impressive in the Premier League, winning 26 of their last 28 at home in the League.
Micah Richards remains sidelined, while Samir Nasri is a doubt to face his former club. Sergio Aguero was on the bench against Real Madrid and could be given an opportunity to start after suffering the knee injury in the opener.
Arsenal
The appointment of Steve Bould was made with the idea that he could improve the defence and the early showings in the Premier League suggest that might already be the case. However, Arsenal are facing their biggest challenge of this fledgling season and have a big week ahead of them with this game followed by a home game against Chelsea.
The side are one place above Manchester City in 3rd place in the Premier League as they have also picked up 8 points in their opening games while putting their unbeaten run on the line. Arsenal are 1-1-0 away from home, scoring 2 goals and keeping 2 clean sheets, and they also were 1-2 winners in Montpellier in the Champions League during the week.
Arsenal have lost just 1 of their last 9 away games in all competitions and they have won 4 of their last 6 on their travels. They have lost just 1 of their last 10 away games in the Premier League and the team are unbeaten in 5 since losing at Loftus Road.
Wojciech Szczesny is a doubt for this game after missing the Champions League game during the week, while Bacary Sagna won't be rushed back with the Capital One Cup game more likely to be his return from a broken leg.
Head to Head
Both clubs won their home game in the League against the other, both coming by a 1-0 scoreline.
Manchester City have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against Arsenal, the exception being a 0-3 loss after losing a player very early on to a sending off.
Prediction
It is hard to back anyone against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as they seem to put enough pressure on their opposition that they end up cracking.
I can't see that not being the case again on Sunday, but Arsenal have definitely looked a more organised side at the back early in the season. They also look like they still have a goal threat in the side and can take advantage of the vulnerabilities that City have been showing in defence.
I wouldn't be surprised if both teams score, but I think City will prove to be too strong and any side that reaches at least 3 goals in their home games so often are going to be tough to beat.
The defensive issues puts me off backing City at odds on, but they are a very strong side at home and I will back them to win and at least 3/4 goals to be scored which is being offered at 3.75 by Paddy Power.
Obviously it is slightly risky with the way Arsenal have been defending, but I just think City have too much attacking talent and I will be looking for them to likely pick up the 3 points with a 2-1 win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
