The premier match of the Premier League’s opening weekend is the last one on the slate. Manchester City set all sorts of records in their romp through the table last season. The Citizens became the first team ever to finish with 100 points, and they crushed the record for goals in a season, goal differential, and point differential too. This year, City will look to repeat, and their first test will be on the road against a revamped Arsenal squad.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Emirates Stadium in London at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, August 12, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City -106
Arsenal +261
Draw +275
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
This offseason Arsene Wenger waved goodbye to the team he managed for more than two decades. The Gunners are now steered by Unai Emery, formerly of Paris Saint Germain, and he will be looking to reverse the club’s recent poor fortune. Arsenal has seen itself slowly slip down the table, and the club has missed out on the Champions League in each of the last two seasons. Emery’s job is to get Arsenal back into the top four.
For Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, anything short of a repeat would probably be considered a failure. City were the best team in the Premier League by a mile last season, and they got even stronger in the offseason when they added Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City. This team has talent and the most depth in the league.
Key Injuries
There are a couple major injury concerns for Arsenal coming into this match. The Gunners are going to be stretched in defense as center back Laurent Koscielny continues to recover from a brutal injury suffered in the Europa League Semifinals earlier in the year. Left back Sead Kolasinac was just declared out for the first few months of the season as well following a knee injury in the club’s friendly against Chelsea. To make matters worse Nacho Monreal is considered doubtful to play, really stretching Arsenal’s depth at the back.
Manchester City is unlikely to have a couple World Cup starters available for this match. Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne only returned to training with the club on Tuesday, and it’s unlikely that they are able to play in this one. David Silva is still recovering from a knock picked up at the World Cup as well, and he is listed as doubtful. Center back Aymeric Laporte is considered a gametime decision after suffering a knock in training.
Offseason Additions
City’s big splash came with the addition of Mahrez. Mahrez is a winger that can stretch the field with his pace, and his crosses are typically spot on. He was linked to the club at the winter deadline, but a deal fell through at the last moment. Mahrez should have no problem breaking into the lineup.
A new manager is always going to shake things up, and Emery has done that at Arsenal during the summer window. The Gunners made moves to shore up their defense by acquiring center back Sokratis and goalkeeper Bernd Leno from the Bundesliga and midfielder Lucas Torreira from Serie A. Arsenal looks content on offense, for now at least, but don’t be surprised if the club makes a move in the next few weeks.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Welcome to the Premier League, Unai Emery! Although it’s nice to open the season at home, Arsenal would have rather faced any other team in their first match of the season. Emery tried to get the team to build chemistry during the International Champions Cup, but those matches are a big step down from the competition Arsenal will face here. Later in the season, I would like Arsenal more. However, you have to go with Manchester City here.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester City 3, Arsenal 1
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