Manchester City vs Arsenal 18/06/20

18 June 2020

Manchester City and Arsenal go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium in a massive Premier League (PL) showdown.

Although they seem highly unlikely to defend the league title, the hosts are favorites to land all three points here, as they take on a side they’ve defeated in each of their last three top-flight home H2Hs. In turn, the reigning champions have won all but one of their five previous PL home matches (D1), scoring over 1.5 goals in each. Manchester City usually step up their game after the break. Indeed, 58% (19) of 33 PL home goals they’ve scored this campaign arrived in the second half of play. Also, Pep Guardiola’s men often try to make a statement when they win at home – six of their nine top-flight home triumphs this term yielded at least a two-goal margin.

Meanwhile, the visitors had racked up an eight-game unbeaten league run before the coronavirus pandemic curtailed their momentum (W4, D4). Each of their four victories during that streak saw Arsenal keep a clean sheet and score all of their goals on the day inside one of the halves. Although unbeaten in seven consecutive PL road trips (W1, D6), the Gunners have played out five straight draws, with four of them featuring under 2.5 goals. But, Mikel Arteta will be desperate to see his players improve their first-half performances. Indeed, the Londoners have managed only 29% (four) of their 14 PL away goals scored so far before the halftime break.