It’s do or die for Gunners
Tomorrow’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal is widely regarded as a title-deciding match as the Gunners hold a slim three-point lead atop the premier league – a game included in Wednesday’s TAB Soccer 13 pool which is expected to reach R9-million!
By Mark Gleeson
Arsenal held a steady five-point lead through most of the last months of Premier League action but their controversial slip against Brentford at the weekend has seen defending champions Manchester City closing the gap.
It is now three points – exactly what is on offer tomorrow night when the Gunners host Man City.
City have the better goal difference going into the game so a victory would see them take over at the top of the table in what could be a title-determining blow.
Arsenal have done well to hold off City from well before the World Cup break but slipped in their last two league games, which were presumed to be banker wins.
Losing at relegation-haunted Everton was a shock and the manner of the draw against the Bees on Saturday has created a furore over refereeing and VAR interpretation throughout the league.
City took advantage on Sunday with victory over Aston Villa putting aside the concerns as to their future after being charged by the league for more than 100 financial irregularities.
Speculation has City being stripped of their league titles and/or being demoted down the league.
It has got manager Pep Guardiola hot under the collar, judging by his comments on the matter, and on the defensive too, but whether the dressing room is also feeling the heat remains to be seen.
There will still be one more league clash between Arsenal and City in London in April but this has all the makings of a ‘match of the season’ with so much riding on the outcome.
Champions League action in Europe returns tonight with Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich reprising the 2020 final in Lisbon.
The Parisians have lost only six of their last 68 European home games although four of those have come in their last 18 matches at the Parc des Princes. Bayern are unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions since a 1-0 Bundesliga loss at Augsburg on 17 September. That is their sole defeat of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur play tonight at AC Mian, who have been in a slump but ended a run of three straight league losses, and five Serie A matches without a win, with a 1-0 home victory against Torino on Friday.
Tomorrow Chelsea are away at Borussia Dortmund in a chance for Graham Potter’s team to show their potential and get all their new signings gelling together.
The two English clubs are both fancied for away wins.