Who doesn’t love an FA Cup weekend? And what’s more, we’ve got the Premier League’s front-runners going head-to-head on Friday night! We’ve previewed Man City vs Arsenal with some expert insight from Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.
To browse the latest sports betting markets, including boosted odds on the big game, head to NetBet Sport.
NetBet have boosted Man City to win 1-0 to 8.00, and Riyad Mahrez to score first to 9.00!
Man City vs Arsenal
Friday 27th January, 8pm
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Live on ITV
Man City vs Arsenal Football Preview
As we head into this FA Cup tie, Arsenal have a five-point lead in the league with a game in hand. The Gunners have lost just three times in 27 games in all competitions, but still have to play City three times before the end of the season. FA Cup winner Ray Parlour thinks this will be on the City manager’s mind:
“We all know Pep Guardiola and he’ll want to get one over on Mikel Arteta. They’ve got to play them in the league still, so to say look, we’re the best team in the country, because there’s arguments to say at the moment that Arsenal are”.
Guardiola’s side have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this campaign, but welcome Arsenal to the Etihad knowing they have had the beating of the visitors in recent times. Of the last 10 meetings between these sides, City have won nine and lost one. Parlour also thinks City could benefit from Arsenal’s league position:
“I think they’re (Arsenal) in such a good position that he (Arteta) might just think, ‘do we need more games?’”.
It makes for even worse reading when you look at Arsenal’s record at the Etihad. There they have lost six successive games and have failed to score in the last three. But for all of City’s head-to-head dominance, Arsenal are an entirely different prospect this season.
Of the traditional big six, they have beaten Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham twice – they are not the same Arsenal that crumble in big games. It remains to be seen whether either team will hand minutes to fringe players, but it seems unlikely given how important momentum can be. Parlour believes we’ll see two strong teams:
‘He (Arteta) might play a full team. He might play the strongest team because momentum is so important in football. Hopefully he will put a strong team out and they can compete, and maybe beat Man City’.
FA Cup 4th Round Football Odds
City have won four of their last five home games and are favourites to progress to the next round at 1.69. Arsenal have won five straight away games and are 4.20 underdogs to defeat City at the Etihad. Both teams to score is heavily backed at 1.62, as is over 2.5 match goals at 1.60.
Erling Haaland ended his three-match drought with four goals in two games against Spurs and Wolves – he is leading the odds to break the deadlock in this fourth round tie at 3.50. He is marked as the man to watch out for by Parlour:
‘He’s got every attribute to be a top striker in the Premier League. With the likes of De Bruyne and the service he’s got behind him, he’s always going to score goals for Man City.’
Man City vs Arsenal Football Betting Tips
Man City win and both to score – 3.07
This promises to be one of the games of the season. The shackles of Premier League pressure have been lifted – this should give way to an end-to-end match between Guardiola and Arteta. There is probably more on the line for City. It could be their only chance to win silverware this season.
Riyad Mahrez anytime goalscorer – 3.53
There’s not too much value in Haaland, but the same can’t be said for Mahrez. He is arguably City’s most in-form player, with five goals in his last five appearances. He’ll be hoping to exploit the space left behind his roaming former team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Over 1.5 first half goals – 2.35
It’s always a fast start when these two meet. The last 13 games have seen a minimum of one first half goal. A nice selection to more than double your money.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
