Manchester City will host Arsenal tomorrow morning in a battle for a third place finish in the Premier League.
Manuel Pellegrini faces his last home game in charge of the Sky Blues before he departs and they will be looking to make it a memorable one. A win for Arsenal can ensure Champions League qualification for next season, while three points for City will take them above Arsene Wenger’s side on goal difference.
A tight clash, with a lot to fight for as we head into the penultimate week of the season.
Key Battle –Fernandinho vs Alexis Sanchez
Manchester City’s defence has once again come under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The Citizens were hammered at St. Mary’s last week thanks to some woeful defending and have now also lost skipper Vincent Kompany to injury, yet again. It is quite evident that the squad has struggled at the back when Kompany is not playing and the form of the other centre-backs has been disastrous of late.
Fernandinho has been City’s most consistent player this season, rarely putting a foot wrong. The defensive midfielder will have a huge task on his shoulders to protect City’s vulnerable backline. The Brazilian has been up to the task in the big games so far and Pellegrini will be banking on him against the Gunners.
Arsenal have not been the most prolific side in front of goal in recent weeks, scoring only four times in their last four league outings. Although, Alexis Sanchez has been the go-to man, with the Chilean scoring three of his side’s last four league goals. The 27-year-old has netted half of his 12 league goals in the last couple of months alone and seems to found form as the season nears its end.
Fernandinho will have to do well to keep the pacey Chilean at bay and cut out the Arsenal attacks from the midfield.
Team News
Manuel Pellegrini might go into his final home game as manager of City without Kompany, who is a doubt after coming off injured against Real Madrid. David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta are ruled out.
Arsene Wenger will be boosted at the returning Santi Carzola, who featured in Arsenal’s youth games last week while Carl Jenkinson is the only one ruled out. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin and Per Mertersacker are doubts for the trip to the Etihad.
Head-to-Head
Of the 187 games played between the two sides, Manchester City have only won 49 times. The Gunners have a far more superior record, beating the Citizens on 95 occasions, while the remaining have ended in draws. City have also failed to beat the Londoners in their last five meetings, while also losing their previous couple of contests against Wenger’s side.
Previous Meeting
The sides last met in late December last year, where the Gunners triumphed by 2-1 thanks to goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.
Prediction
City are likely to play a strong side after being knocked out of the Champions League and will now be focused on finishing in the top four. Arsenal cannot afford any more slip-ups themselves, with Manchester United and West Ham United also hunting down a top four finish. The Sky Blues have not been playing at their best in recent weeks and considering that a win can ensure Wenger’s side Champions League football next season, the Gunners might just edge this crucial fixture.
Manchester City 1 Arsenal 2
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