Football Predictions
Having won the treble last season, Manchester City begins their campaign in the Community Shield against leagues runners up Arsenal on Sunday.
City still looks like a formidable team but there have been some notable changes in the team. Mateo Kovacic has come in but Ilkay Gundogan has left for Barcelona and Riyad Mahrez has moved to Saudi Arabia. There are also doubts about the futures of Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, and Kalvin Phillips. Pep Guardiola wouldn’t want to keep players against their wishes in the team but know that he can’t allow more players to leave despite his side agreeing to bring in RB Leipzig center-back Josko Gvardiol.
For Arsenal, the transfer window can be said to have been a success for Mikel Arteta and his team. They have secured the services of Declan Rice, Kai Haverts, and Jurrien Timber who were acquired early enough to take full part in the club’s preseason tour of the United States. Although the Gunners still have work to do in the market not least in trimming the squad.
H2H/Stats
City have won each of the last eight meetings in all competitions, running rampant with a 4-1 in the last meeting back in April thanks in no small part to a fine brace by Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
Recent Meetings;
26th April 2023 – Man City 4-1 Arsenal – Premier League
15th February 2023 – Arsenal 1-3 Man City – Premier League
27th January 2023 – Man City 1-0 Arsenal – Premier League
1st January 2022 – Arsenal 1-2 Man City – Premier League
28th August 2021 – Man City 5-0 Arsenal – Premier League
Team News
Kevin de Bruyne is a doubt for City after missing a chunk of preseason games with a thigh injury. Nathan Ake has also missed a few games and may not be risked for this match, with next week’s Premier League opener away to Burnley on the horizon.
Arsenal are expected to slot new signings Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber straight into the Arsenal team for this game, although fellow new arrival Declan Rice is currently being monitored after taking a knock on the club’s pre-season tour alongside Folarin Balogun and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Albert Sambi Lokonga looks set to secure a loan move away from the club, but Gabriel Jesus will sit this out after undergoing minor surgery.
Probable Line Ups
Man City XI: Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Laporte; Rodri, Kovacic, Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Timber, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Haverts, Martinelli.
Verdict
Manchester City have a good record against Arsenal but with Guardiola still not settled with the players he wants to play, he will have to ensure that he has a plan against the Mikel Arteta side who look ready to challenge. This is another game that will have goals.
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Extra tips 👇
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Check out our Jackpot predictions.
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