Ace Football previews the Carabao Cup match between Arsenal and Manchester City, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
It’s student vs master for a fourth and final time in 2020 as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal welcomes Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium for a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.
The prize on offer is a spot in the semi-finals, and both clubs will be in no mood to pass on this chance as the prospect of a first trophy for the season becomes more realistic.
Arsenal’s abysmal form, along with their poor head-to-head record against City, makes them the underdogs despite home advantage. That said, they did beat Leicester and Liverpool away from home to make it this far.
But while the hosts desperately need win, especially for their under-fire manager Arteta, City’s improved defensive record and excellent form could prove too hot for them to handle on Tuesday night.
Arsenal Form & Stats
The Gunners’ cup form has been a different story altogether compared to the league. They boast a 100% record in the Europa League, having won all six of their Group B matches, and have reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
In the Premier League, meanwhile, Arsenal have suffered their worst start since 1974/75. Five defeats have come in their last seven league outings (D2), leaving them 15th in the standings and four points above the relegation zone. In fact, the club’s last domestic triumph came in a 1-0 win away to Manchester United on November 1.
The pressure is really taking its toll on the squad and raised doubts over Mikel Arteta’s future. The manager may retain the club board’s support, but he still desperately needs a victory against his old mentor Guardiola.
Although considering Arsenal are without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and have only scored in four of their last 10 league games, this may prove a big ask.
Key Team Stats
- Lost 4 of their last 5 league games (D1).
- Won just 1 of their last 6 away league games (D1 L4).
- Won 7 of their last 12 away games (D1 L4) in all competitions (EFL Cup & Europa League included).
Manchester City Form & Stats
Guardiola has made the Carabao Cup his own ever since taking charge of City, having won the competition in three of his four campaigns and in the last three seasons in a row.
City, unlike their opponents, have endured no such struggles recently. The visitors are on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W5 D3) and are recovering lost ground in the Premier League after a tough start.
One notable change compared to last season is the club’s improved defensive showings. Guardiola made it a priority to strengthen his backline in the summer, welcoming the likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake on big-money deals. And the results have taken an impressive return as a result.
City currently boast the Premier League’s best defensive record on only 12 goals conceded in 13 games. They’ve also kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games in all competitions, conceding just once against West Brom last week.
One thing worth nothing is Raheem Sterling’s impressive record against Arsenal. City’s top-scorer has scored the first goal in three of his last five league games against the Gunners and netted four times overall.
Key Team Stats
- Won 8 of their last 9 games against Arsenal in all competitions (L1).
- Kept 4 consecutive clean sheets in their last 4 away games in all competitions.
- Won 7 of their last 12 away games in all competitions (D4 L1).
- Raheem Sterling has scored 4 goals in his last 5 league games against Arsenal and the first goal 3 times.
- A league-best of only 12 goals conceded.
Team News
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, Sokratis (all out).
Manchester City: Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Eric Garcia (all doubts).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Carabao Cup
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Carabao Cup.
Betting Tips
More Odds
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