BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted the scoreline of Saturday’s early kick-off in the Premier League between Arsenal and Man City.
Both sides come into the fixture in good form.
Arsenal host Man City on Saturday
Arsenal have won each of their last five matches across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and conceding only two.
Meanwhile, Man City have also won their last five across all competitions, also scoring 19 goals and conceding just three.
There’s a 15-point gap from lead leaders City to the fourth-placed Gunners, though, and things didn’t go according to plan for Mikel Arteta in the first meeting between the two sides this season at the Etihad in August.
Guardiola’s Citizens ran out 5-0 winners, with Granit Xhaka’s 35th-minute sending off not helping the visitors’ cause.
Arsenal will have home advantage this time around, but Lawrenson can’t see anything other than a comfortable City win.
Lawrenson predicts City triumph
‘As much as Arsenal have improved, and as good as their home record is – only Manchester City’s is better this season – there is still a huge gulf between these two sides,’ he wrote [BBC Sport].
‘The difference is not going to be as big as it was when City beat the Gunners 5-0 at Etihad Stadium in August, but taking on the leaders is a heck of an ask for Arsenal’s young side.
‘When I look at how City have been playing during their run of 10 straight league wins, I can only think this is going to be victory number 11.’
Lawro then offers a score prediction of 3-0 to the champions.
This prediction may not go down well with Arsenal fans given their side’s recent strong form.
But it’s up to the North London club’s players to prove that they’ve made really meaningful progress since a poor start to the season and this match against City provides a golden opportunity to do just that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
