All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium this weekend as Manchester City face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
This competition, otherwise known as the League Cup, has been shunted to one side by England’s top clubs in years gone by but two of the Premier League’s biggest sides will compete in the 2017/18 showpiece.
Pep Guardiola’s men, reeling from the shock FA Cup defeat to Wigan Athletic on Monday night, will be determined to clinch their first piece of silverware and 888sport are opening with City as red-hot favourites at 1/2.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are valued at 19/4 to emerge victorious in 90 minutes whilst the draw is available at 17/5. One thing is for sure; an open and expansive contest looks likely at the home of English football.
Man City Will Want To Send Out A Statement
City have scored two or more goals in four of their previous five fixtures against Arsenal and another high scoring fixture could be on the cards. Currently priced at 11/25 to notch over 1.5 goals during the fixture, Guardiola’s men should create plenty of chances in attack.
Sergio Aguero can bounce back in the best possible way after a troubling week following the defeat to Wigan. The Argentina striker has scored 29 goals in 39 appearances for City so far this season and is a 3/1 chance to open the scoring at Wembley.
Plenty of punters will be expecting City to respond to the doubters in the best possible way here – and that is by putting Arsenal to the sword. The 11/10 for Pep’s side to score in both halves is a decent price considering their offensive prowess, especially if Gabriel Jesus is fit enough to return.
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And that will give a few of Arsenal’s key men the chance to rest up ahead of Sunday’s short trip to Wembley. The Gunners, notoriously strong at the home of English football, have an excellent scoring record against City – bagging at least one goal in each of their previous 11 competitive fixtures.
With that in mind, punters should consider the 4/9 for a goal in both halves. Both teams are blessed with powerful offensive units and neutrals are expecting an exciting fixture. The 3/5 on offer for both teams to score in 90 minutes is also worth a look and the 10/1 for Arsenal and City to score in BOTH halves is perhaps long enough to warrant a small wager.
Prediction
I’m struggling to see past City here. Pep’s side had an off day on Monday night – there’s no doubt about it. Whilst some clubs would ponder on that result too much, City will turn their attention to this fixture almost instantly.
Guardiola is hungry to take City to the next level and winning trophies is the best way to do that.
Wenger will need to come up with a near-perfect game plan to halt this City side in its tracks – Arsenal did it in last year’s FA Cup semi final but expecting another Gunners win here may be foolish.
The 19/10 for City to win and both teams to score is a price well worth taking ahead of Sunday’s contest.
TOP TIP: Manchester City to win and both teams to score @ 19/10
CORRECT SCORE: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal @ 10/1
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
