Manchester City vs Arsenal preview

By Ric Turner, Fri 13 December 2013 13:14


Manchester City vs Arsenal previewA look ahead at tomorrow's early clash at The Etihad

Manchester City vs Arsenal

Date: 12.45pm, Saturday 14th December 2013

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: S Burt, H Lennard. Fourth Official: R Madley.

Odds: Manchester City 5/6, Draw 11/4, Arsenal 7/2

Tickets: Sold out.

TV: BT Sport.

Manchester City

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Squad (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Boyata, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Garcia, Fernandinho, Milner, Nasri, Navas, Rodwell, Silva, Toure, Aguero, Dzeko, Jovetic, Guidetti, Negredo.

Injured: Richards, Nastasic

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: DWWWLW

Arsenal

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Squad (from): Fabianski, Szczesny, Viviano, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Vermaelen, Flamini, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Frimpong, Gnabry, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Walcott.

Injured: Sagna, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diaby

Doubtful: Podolski

Suspended: None

Form guide: DWWWLW

David Silva is in line for a recall to City's starting XI, after coming through 70 minutes unscathed at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night. The Spaniard has not played in the league since the beginning of November, and may replace Jesus Navas.

Gael Clichy and Stevan Jovetic have trained as normal this week and are available, but Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic are ruled out through injury.

Yaya Toure returns from suspension having missed City's impressive win in Munich, and Manuel Pellegrini must decide whether to continue with Costel Patilimon or restore Joe Hart in goal.

Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna is ruled out with a hamstring problem, and joins long term casualties Abou Diaby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the injury list. Midfield duo Jack Wilshire and Aaron Ramsey are expected to return having been rested for the costly midweek defeat in Naples.

City's last home league game against Arsenal ended in a 1-1 draw, with Joleon Lescott netting for the Blues. Overall City have won just 35 of the 151 games played against Arsenal, with 36 draws and 80 defeats.

Prediction: City 1 Arsenal 1

Read the views of Arseblog on all things Arsenal and tomorrow's game here.