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

First Bet Offer $1,500 FBO
HomeAwayDateTime (ET)Location
BrightonChelseaFeb. 143 p.m.Amex Stadium
Leicester CityArsenalFeb. 157:30 a.m.King Power Stadium
Aston VillaIpswich TownFeb. 1510 a.m.Villa Park
FulhamNottingham ForestFeb. 1510 a.m.Craven Cottage
Man CityNewcastle UnitedFeb. 1510 a.m.Etihad Stadium
SouthamptonBournemouthFeb. 1510 a.m.St. Mary's Stadium
West Ham UnitedBrentfordFeb. 1510 a.m.London Stadium
Crystal PalaceEvertonFeb. 1512:30 p.m.Selhurst Park
LiverpoolWolvesFeb. 169 a.m.Anfield
TottenhamManchester UnitedFeb. 1611:30 a.m.Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

EPL Standings

TeamRecord (Wins-Draws-Losses)PointsGoal Differential
Liverpool17-5-15635
Arsenal14-8-25027
Nottingham Forest14-5-54713
Chelsea12-7-54316
Manchester City12-5-74113
Newcastle United12-5-74113
Bournemouth11-7-64013
Aston Villa10-7-737-3
Fulham9-9-6364
Brighton8-10-634-3
Brentford9-4-11310
Crystal Palace7-9-830-2
Manchester United8-5-1129-6
Tottenham8-3-132711
West Ham United7-6-1127-17
Everton6-8-926-5
Wolves5-4-1519-18
Leicester City3-5-1517-28
Ipswich Town3-7-1416-27
Southampton2-3-199-36

EPL ATS Records

TeamATS RecordATS%Home ATS RecordHome ATS%Road ATS RecordRoad ATS%
Arsenal9-10-547.9%3-6-337.5%6-4-258.3%
Aston Villa8-15-135.4%3-8-129.2%5-7-041.7%
Bournemouth16-8-066.7%7-5-058.3%9-3-075.0%
Brentford14-8-262.5%8-5-061.5%6-3-263.6%
Brighton & Hove Albion12-11-152.1%4-7-036.4%8-4-165.4%
Chelsea9-13-241.7%4-7-137.5%5-6-145.8%
Crystal Palace13-8-360.4%4-5-345.8%9-3-075.0%
Everton12-9-256.5%6-5-154.2%6-4-159.1%
Fulham14-8-262.5%5-7-041.7%8-2-275.0%
Ipswich Town10-13-143.8%4-9-030.8%6-4-159.1%
Leicester City11-12-147.9%5-7-041.7%6-5-154.2%
Liverpool13-9-158.7%5-5-150.0%8-4-066.7%
Manchester City7-17-029.2%3-8-027.3%4-9-030.8%
Manchester United10-12-245.8%5-7-142.3%5-5-150.0%
Newcastle United13-10-156.3%7-5-058.3%6-5-154.2%
Nottingham Forest16-8-066.7%7-5-058.3%9-3-075.0%
Southampton9-12-343.8%2-8-122.7%7-4-261.5%
Tottenham Hotspur9-15-037.5%4-8-033.3%5-7-041.7%
West Ham United12-11-152.1%4-7-137.5%8-4-066.7%
Wolverhampton Wanderers10-12-245.8%5-6-145.8%5-6-145.8%
EPL Odds

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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.