Man City vs. Arsenal Prediction, Odds & Match Preview

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta speaks to the players while Gabriel Jesus, right, gestures to the crowd during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
(Ian Walton/AP Photo)
  • Man City is predicted to be a -0.5-goal favorite against Arsenal.
  • Arsenal earned four points from six against City last season.
  • I predict this match will stay under the pregame total.

The two presumed EPL title challengers meet Sunday in Manchester as title holders Man City host Arsenal.ย 

Both teams are unbeaten to start the year and earned wins on Matchday 4. City fell behind 1-0 to Brentford but used two Erling Haaland goals to win 2-1.ย 

As for Arsenal, a late goal gave them a 1-0 win over crosstown rivals Tottenham.ย 

Hereโ€™s a look at the Premier League odds and my Man City vs. Arsenal prediction.ย 

Man City vs. Arsenal Odds, Premier League

  • Man City Moneyline: -130
  • Arsenal Moneyline: +360
  • Draw Moneyline: +270
  • Over/Under: 2.5 Goals (-120/-115)
  • Both Teams to Score: Yes (-130), No (-110)

Man City vs. Arsenal Prediction: Total Goals

My prediction for Man City vs. Arsenal is the pregame total Under 2.5 Goals (-115).ย 

I worry about Arsenalโ€™s offensive viability in this match without attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard.ย 

At Tottenham, Arsenal managed only 0.75 expected goals, including 0.37 from open play.ย 

For context, that came against a team that ranked 14th in expected goals against the previous campaign.ย 

Now they have to travel to face City, a team that ranked second in that category last season.ย 

Even more concerning for Arsenal? They face a Thursday Champions League game in Italy, while City play on Wednesday at home.ย 

Last season, Arsenal played two matches against City and created only 1.05 expected goals across both legs.

Just at City: 0.66 expected goals, 0.25 post-shot expected goals.ย 

But this was simultaneously an Arsenal defense that held up well against a prolific attack.ย 

City didnโ€™t have Kevin De Bruyne for the first meeting, so a 0.48 xG output isnโ€™t entirely surprising.ย 

What is surprising is that City created only 1.02 xG at home in the second head-to-head meeting.ย 

Based on the scheduling spot and the lack of offensive creativity, I expect Mikel Arteta to sit back, cede possession to City and hold strong defensively.ย 

Accordingly, expect a low-scoring contest on Sunday, with both teams playing a midweek contest.ย 

Man City Record, Last 5 Matches

  • Sept. 18 vs. Inter Milan: 0-0, D (Champions League)
  • Sept. 14 vs. Brentford: 2-1, W
  • Aug. 31 at West Ham United: 3-1, W
  • Aug. 24 vs. Ipswich Town: 4-1, W
  • Aug. 18 vs. Chelsea: 1-0, W

Arsenal Record, Last 5 Matches

  • Sept. 19 vs. Atalanta
  • Sept. 15 at Tottenham: 1-0, W
  • Aug. 31 vs. Brighton: 1-1, D
  • Aug. 24 at Aston Villa: 2-0, W
  • Aug. 17 vs. Wolves: 2-0, W

Visit the BetMGM online sportsbook for the latest Manchester City odds and Arsenal odds!

EPL Match Schedule This Weekend

HomeAwayDateTime (ET)Location
Nottingham ForestChelseaMay. 2511 a.m.The City Ground
SouthamptonArsenalMay. 2511 a.m.St. Mary's Stadium
LiverpoolCrystal PalaceMay. 2511 a.m.Anfield
Ipswich TownWest HamMay. 2511 a.m.Portman Road
BournemouthLeicester CityMay. 2511 a.m.Vitality Stadium
Man UnitedAston VillaMay. 2511 a.m.Old Trafford
NewcastleEvertonMay. 2511 a.m.St. James' Park
TottenhamBrightonMay. 2511 a.m.Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
WolvesBrentfordMay. 2511 a.m.Molineux
FulhamManchester CityMay. 2511 a.m.Craven Cottage

EPL Standings

TeamRecord (Wins-Draws-Losses)PointsGoal Differential
Liverpool25-8-48345
Arsenal19-14-47134
Manchester City20-8-96826
Newcastle United20-6-116622
Chelsea19-9-96620
Aston Villa19-9-9669
Nottingham Forest19-8-106513
Brighton15-14-8584
Brentford16-7-14559
Fulham15-9-13542
Bournemouth14-11-12539
Crystal Palace13-13-11520
Everton10-15-1245-3
Wolves12-5-2041-15
West Ham10-10-1740-18
Manchester United10-9-1839-12
Tottenham11-5-21382
Leicester City6-7-2425-45
Ipswich Town4-10-2322-44
Southampton2-6-2912-59

EPL ATS Records

TeamATS RecordATS%Home ATS RecordHome ATS%Road ATS RecordRoad ATS%
Arsenal14-17-645.9%5-10-436.8%9-7-255.6%
Aston Villa18-18-150.0%9-9-150.0%9-9-050.0%
Bournemouth19-16-254.1%8-10-044.4%11-6-263.2%
Brentford22-12-363.5%11-8-057.9%11-4-369.4%
Brighton & Hove Albion21-15-158.1%10-9-052.6%11-6-163.9%
Chelsea13-20-440.5%7-9-344.7%6-11-136.1%
Crystal Palace20-13-459.5%8-7-452.6%12-6-066.7%
Everton19-12-659.5%9-8-252.6%10-4-466.7%
Fulham18-14-455.6%8-10-044.4%10-5-463.2%
Ipswich Town14-20-341.9%4-13-125.0%10-7-257.9%
Leicester City18-18-150.0%8-11-042.1%10-7-158.3%
Liverpool16-19-245.9%7-9-244.4%9-10-047.4%
Manchester City13-24-035.1%7-12-036.8%6-12-033.3%
Manchester United14-18-544.6%7-9-244.4%7-9-344.7%
Newcastle United21-15-158.1%13-5-072.2%8-10-144.7%
Nottingham Forest23-14-062.2%10-8-055.6%13-6-068.4%
Southampton13-20-440.5%4-12-227.8%9-8-252.6%
Tottenham Hotspur13-23-136.5%6-11-136.1%7-12-036.8%
West Ham United18-17-251.4%6-12-134.2%12-6-066.7%
Wolverhampton Wanderers19-15-355.4%8-8-250.0%11-7-160.5%
Promo Details

EPL Early Payout

When betting on EPL Match Result odds, you can receive an early payout if your team takes a 2-0 lead.

Check your Promotions for more info!

Split First Bet Offer FBO March Matchups 1080x610
About the Author

Nick Hennion

Read More @nickhennion

Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.

Nick Hennion is a senior content writer for BetMGM. His previous stops include VSiN, NBC Sports, The Action Network and Forbes Betting. He owns a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a master's degree from Northwestern University.