The top two teams in the English Premier League are set to meet for the second time this season on Wednesday when Manchester City welcome league leaders Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium.
Despite three consecutive draws, the Gunners remain five points clear of the reigning champions in the Premier League table. However, Man City have played two fewer games and boast a greater goal differential.
Pep Guardiola‘s side also pivotally won the first meeting between these two teams, a 3-1 affair at the Emirates back in February. Replicating that result here won’t officially end the title race, but it would be a huge step toward City claiming their third consecutive Premier League trophy.
Let’s dig into our Manchester City vs Arsenal best bets for this titanic matchup.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Odds
- 3-Way Handicap: Manchester City (-185) | Draw (+360) | Arsenal (+475)
- Draw No Bet: Manchester City (-450) | Arsenal (+330)
- Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (-165) | Under 2.5 (+135)
- Both Teams to Score: Yes (-145) | No (+115)
Manchester City vs Arsenal odds are current as of Monday, April 24, at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Given Arsenal’s recent blip in form, it is no surprise that they are sizable underdogs heading to the Etihad on Wednesday. The Gunners also haven’t had much luck on their travels to Manchester in recent years, losing their last seven road matches against City across all competitions.
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If Mikel Arteta‘s side is to keep its Premier League title challenge off life support, it will need to do something it hasn’t since 2016: Return to London with at least a share of the spoils.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Prediction
Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal
While Arsenal have stumbled a bit of late, Man City have been relentless.
The reigning champions are unbeaten in their last 16 games across all competitions (13 wins, 3 draws) and haven’t dropped points in the Premier League since a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Feb. 18.
City have scored three or more goals 11 times during that stretch, and standout striker Erling Haaland (32 goals) has already matched the record for goals in a 38-game Premier League season, set by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the 2017-18 campaign.
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Haaland should be able to take advantage of a massive mismatch against Arsenal center back Rob Holding, who continues to deputize for the injured William Saliba (back).
Since Arsenal have conceded five goals over their last two games against bottom sides Southampton and West Ham, I have trouble seeing how they keep this dynamic City attack at bay.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Best Bets
Over 2.5 Total Goals (-165) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1.65 Units
I would also be pretty comfortable laying the juice with Man City to win (-185), but this feels like a better bet at a cheaper price.
Arsenal’s last eight Premier League games have all gone Over 2.5 total goals. And since the Gunners likely won’t be able to keep City off the scoresheet, their best route toward getting at least a point is to attack the home side.
Meanwhile, Man City’s EPL home games have seen an average of 4.33 goals per game this season — the highest mark in the league. Arsenal have the quality up front in Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus to contribute to this total.
I don’t hate the idea of taking Over 3.5 goals at +145, but this safer option is our EPL Bet of the Day.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Props
Manchester City: Over 2.5 Goals (+160) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
City scored three goals against Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this season, so this team total prop feels poorly priced. Plus, we’re getting some correlation here with our first play, which is a nice bonus.
The Gunners only really had themselves to blame in the earlier meeting this season, with defenders twice giving the ball away inside their own half for City to pounce. Kevin De Bruyne capitalized on a misplaced back pass to open the scoring in the first half, and Jack Grealish polished off a lightning-quick counterattack after Gabriel had given the ball to Bernardo Silva about 45 yards from goal.
Arsenal have made even more mistakes recently without Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) available for selection, and as discussed above, they have paid the price for it.
Man City have scored a league-high 50 goals in 15 home games, so they’re more than capable of hitting the Gunners for three or more on Wednesday.
Manchester City vs Arsenal Parlays
Best Man City-Arsenal SGP (+380) • DraftKings Sportsbook
- Manchester City Moneyline
- Over 3.5 Total Goals
- Erling Haaland to Score
- Both Teams to Score
Arsenal will have to attack Man City to get anything from this match. The Gunners don’t have the defensive solidity to try to hold for a nil-nil draw and are better off trying to expose Guardiola’s side on the counter.
Although Arsenal haven’t scored at the Etihad since 2019, this is a different team than those of recent years. Martinelli and Saka can cause problems down the flanks with their pace and skill, and although Jesus’ finishing has been a tad erratic in recent games, he’ll be desperate to get a goal against his former club.
The issue for Arteta is on the other end of the pitch. Arsenal’s defending has been poor over the back half of the season, and the absences of Saliba and Tomiyasu don’t make matters any easier.
Holding has his work cut out for him against a goalscoring machine in Haaland, who should set the single-season record in his team’s most important game of the season.
