Arsenal vs Man City betting tips
The first piece of domestic silverware is up for grabs on Sunday when Arsenal and Manchester City meet in the League Cup final at Wembley (4:30pm, Sky Sports Main Event and ITV1).
Betting sites make Arsenal the favourites to end a six-year wait for a trophy, while you can get 11/5 on City to win their first trophy since winning the league title at the end of the 2023/24 season.
This is the first of two crucial meetings between the two sides that could shape the season, and both sides will be desperate to get the victory.
Arsenal lead the Premier League table from City by nine points, although Pep Guardiola’s side does have a game in hand and the two sides still have to play each other at the Etihad.
It would seem, following City’s slip up last weekend against West Ham, that it’s only a matter of time before the Gunners win their first league title since the 2003/04 season, but City could strike a psychological blow by besting Arsenal in the first domestic final.
Since Arsenal last won the league, City have dominated when it comes to silverware, lifting 20 trophies, including the League Cup six times.
They won it four times in a row between 2017/18 and 2020/21, which is when they last won it, beating Tottenham 1-0 in the final.
Guardiola’s side have been in nine finals and won the competition eight times, which is second only to Liverpool’s record of 10 titles, while Arsenal have only won it twice, but they have been runners-up a further six times.
They last tasted victory way back in 1993, when they beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 and went on to also win the FA Cup final against the same opposition.
The Gunners last reached the final in 2018, losing 3-0 to Sunday’s opponents with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all on target.
A win for Arsenal would be just their second trophy under Mikel Arteta after winning the FA Cup in his first season, back in 2020, and while they are still on for a quadruple, securing that first one would be huge.
Arsenal vs Manchester City betting preview: Guardiola to have the upper hand
This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with the first one, at the Emirates, finishing 1-1 when Gabriel Martinelli cancelled out Erling Haaland’s early opener, deep into added time.
In fact, four of the last six meetings have ended in draws, but the other two were won by Arsenal, including a 5-1 drubbing in the capital last season.
It will be the 11th encounter between the two sides in this competition, and it’s the Gunners who have the edge with five wins to City’s four, while the other ended all square.
City have won the last four League Cup ties though, including that all-important final back in 2018, and you have to go back to October 2004 for the last Arsenal win in this competition, when Robin van Persie and Daniel Karbassiyoon were on target for the visitors at the Etihad, while Robbie Fowler scored for City.
This has all the hallmarks of a cagey encounter, with both sides desperate to get the upper hand before they meet again in the league in three weeks, and City’s recent record in cup finals could just give them the added edge.
Also, all the pressure is on Arsenal to finally deliver a trophy, which will allow City to play with a welcome freedom.
Arsenal vs Man City prediction 1: City to win – 11/5 Bet365
Carabao Cup betting tips: Can Haaland finally score in a final?
Erling Haaland has five goals and two assists in nine appearances against Arsenal since joining City in 2022.
Of those nine games, City have won three, lost three and drawn three, so there really is little to choose between the two sides.
Everyone has been talking about the Norwegian’s record in recent weeks, as City have won just one of their last five, but his numbers are as frightening as ever, with 43 goals in 47 games for club and country.
Despite a ridiculous scoring record at City, which has seen him score 154 goals in 188 games for City, he’s yet to do it on the biggest stage.
The striker has played in eight finals with City, including Community Shield matches, and he’s failed to score in all of them, including six appearances at Wembley.
Surely, just based on the law of averages, he’s due a cup final goal soon, and with three goals in his last three appearances against Arsenal, this one could provide the perfect opportunity.
He’s 29/20 on football betting sites to follow up Tuesday’s goal against Real Madrid, or you can get 17/2 on him bagging two or more for the 13th time this season.
Arsenal vs Man City prediction 2: Haaland to score at any time – 29/20 William Hill
Arsenal vs Man City team news
Arsenal: Jurrien Timber (foot) and Martin Odegaard (knee) are both doubtful and Mikel Merino (foot) is out, but Leandro Trossard is back after injury.
Man City: City are still without injured duo Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Rico Lewis (ankle) but Mateo Kovacic is after several months out.
Free football bets for the Carabao Cup final
TalkSPORT BET are celebrating the first domestic final of the season by offering bettors up to £30 in free bets for wagering on the game.
The promotion is only open to new customers who opt in to the Carabao Cup final special offer after completing the registration. Once they’ve opted in, bettors will need to make a first deposit of at least £10 and then wager £10 on any sport at odds of evens or greater.
Bettors can stake any amount between £10 and £30, and talkSPORT BET will match their wager in free bets. The bonus is split 50:50 into two free bet tokens, one of which is a free bet for any sport and the other is a free football bet.
Responsibly Gambling
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