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
BrentfordBrightonApr. 1910 a.m.GTech Community Stadium
Crystal PalaceBournemouthApr. 1910 a.m.Selhurst Park
EvertonManchester CityApr. 1910 a.m.Goodison Park
West Ham UnitedSouthamptonApr. 1910 a.m.London Stadium
Aston VillaNewcastle UnitedApr. 1912:30 p.m.Villa Park
FulhamChelseaApr. 209 a.m.Craven Cottage
Ipswich TownArsenalApr. 209 a.m.Portman Road
Manchester UnitedWolvesApr. 209 a.m.Old Trafford
Leicester CityLiverpoolApr. 2011:30 a.m.King Power Stadium
TottenhamNottingham ForestApr. 213 p.m.Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Manchester CityAston VillaApr. 223 p.m.Etihad Stadium
Arsenal Crystal PalaceApr. 233 p.m.Emirates Stadium

EPL Standings

TeamRecord (Wins-Draws-Losses)PointsGoal Differential
Liverpool23-7-27643
Arsenal17-12-36330
Newcastle United18-5-95921
Nottingham Forest17-6-95713
Manchester City16-7-95520
Chelsea15-9-85417
Aston Villa15-9-8543
Bournemouth13-9-104812
Fulham13-9-10484
Brighton12-13-7482
Brentford12-7-13434
Crystal Palace11-10-1143-4
Everton8-14-1038-4
Manchester United10-8-1438-7
Tottenham11-4-173711
Wolves10-5-1735-14
West Ham9-8-1535-18
Ipswich Town4-9-1921-34
Leicester City4-6-2218-45
Southampton2-4-2610-54

EPL ATS Records

TeamATS RecordATS%Home ATS RecordHome ATS%Road ATS RecordRoad ATS%
Arsenal11-15-643.8%4-8-437.5%7-7-250.0%
Aston Villa14-17-145.3%6-9-140.6%8-8-050.0%
Bournemouth18-13-157.8%8-8-050.0%10-5-165.6%
Brentford19-11-262.5%9-7-056.3%10-4-268.8%
Brighton & Hove Albion17-14-154.7%7-9-043.8%10-5-165.6%
Chelsea11-19-237.5%6-9-140.6%5-10-134.4%
Crystal Palace17-12-357.8%7-6-353.1%10-6-062.5%
Everton17-10-560.9%8-6-256.3%9-4-365.6%
Fulham18-11-360.9%8-8-050.0%9-4-365.6%
Ipswich Town13-17-243.8%4-12-025.0%9-5-262.5%
Leicester City14-17-145.3%5-11-031.3%9-6-159.4%
Liverpool15-15-250.0%6-8-243.8%9-7-056.3%
Manchester City10-22-031.3%5-11-031.3%5-11-031.3%
Manchester United13-15-446.9%7-7-250.0%6-8-243.8%
Newcastle United19-12-160.9%11-5-068.8%8-7-153.1%
Nottingham Forest20-12-062.5%10-6-062.5%10-6-062.5%
Southampton11-18-339.1%3-12-121.9%8-6-256.3%
Tottenham Hotspur12-19-139.1%6-9-140.6%6-10-037.5%
West Ham United17-14-154.7%6-9-140.6%11-5-068.8%
Wolverhampton Wanderers16-13-354.7%7-7-250.0%9-6-159.4%
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About the Author

Nick Hennion

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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.