Arsenal to halt in-form City and cling onto title hopes

In the last seven Premier League head-to-heads between Manchester City and Arsenal, there have been six sending offs, so expect a fiery and tense occasion once more as the two title hopes lock horns.

City (odds-on league favourites at 10/11) travel to the Emirates in the hope of victory to further boost their chances of reclaiming their crown. The Sky Blues are in destructive form in the Premier League, having won the last four – without conceding – and are 11/10 shots for victory again, or 10/3 to beat Arsenal to nil.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men are now just three points behind leaders Chelsea (5/2 title chances), with two games in hand, and they will hope they can replicate the fantastic recent 3-0 drubbing of arch enemy Manchester United.

From drubbing to demolishing, the latter is exactly what Arsene Wenger’s side had inflicted on them in the London 6-0 derby defeat by Chelsea. Arsenal’s following game (a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea) would have further dented their Premier League hopes and confidence.

Having been genuine title contenders until recently (150/1 outsiders), it now seems their morale has plummeted and instead look to hang on to a top four finish instead (1/5) – they are six points ahead of Tottenham and have played an extra match.

The Gunners are still only six points off top, however, and if they beat City at the Emirates (23/10) then their current title odds seem fantastic value.

Arsenal have not lost at home this season, since their opening day defeat to Aston Villa, and must do all they can to stop a rampant Man City side.

This season’s reverse fixture resulted in a 6-3 victory for the Sky Blues, but the six previous head-to-heads have produced two goals or less. Odds of 11/10 say that the match will contain under 2.5 again.

Yaya Toure, who has 11 goals in his last 14 league games from midfield is priced at 15/8 to net at anytime again, while Bosnian attacker Edin Dzeko (7/1) has six from his previous seven league starts.

On then injury front, Arsenal have no new players on the sidelines, while for City, top scorer Sergio Aguero is still expected to be out.