Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tips - Carabao Cup

Prediction published on 20/12/2020, 00:58  by James | Modified on 20/12/2020 at 01:58 in Carabao Cup Predictions

Luckless Arsenal wish to escape their Premier League misery when they welcome Manchester City to the Etihad for a League Cup clash on Thursday. City arrive in London as the three-time reigning champions of the competition; Arsenal last won the League Cup in 1993. The Gunners edged a penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the fourth round to make it here, while City disposed of Burnley in a comfortable 3-0 away win. Pep Guardiola's team has not played in the dominant manner which we have grown used to seeing over the last few seasons. However, they still come into this game unbeaten in their previous eight matches in competitions. A 1-0 victory at high-flying Southampton on Saturday put them in sixth place on 23 points after 13 games, leaving them trailing league leaders Liverpool by eight points. Although they have a game in hand, this is not the position that many expected City to be in after one-third of the season. The same unmet expectations apply for Arsenal too. 

Mikel Arteta started the season brightly, winning three of his opening four matches with an inexperienced Arsenal team. However, eight defeats over the next ten games have left Arsenal floundering among the relegation contenders. A 2-1 loss at Everton on their last outing left them 15th, with 14 points from 14 games. Confidence is shallow, and they have exited this competition for two successive seasons at the hands of a 'big six' club on their turf, one of those coming against City. Although Arsenal beat City in the FA Cup last season, that was their only win in their previous nine games against them, the rest of the contests ending in defeat. Arsenal have failed to score in three of their last five home fixtures against Premier League opposition. Back City to win with a clean sheet.