The final Premier League clash before Christmas is a potentially significant one in the title race as Arsenal take on Manchester City with the incentive of moving four points above their opponents.
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“If you look at the results it looks as though the consistency will be the main priority in this league because every week you are surprised by the results”. Whether or not the trend will remain true throughout the 2015-16 season, given the demise of the champions and the recent sacking of Jose Mourinho, remains to be seen. It is a similar case at Chelsea where domestic league games set fans back to an average tune of £164, far more than the average ask of £119 per ticket for Champions League ties.
“It is important to demonstrate who is the best team of the first round and it is important to play against the team who is one point above our team, but I think that Leicester finished the first round still at the top of the table”. We want to win because it’s at our home and we want to be successful.
Injury-riddled Arsenal are also hoping to get back at least two key players, as Alexis Sanchez and Mikel Arteta hope to be back on the pitch after lengthy injury spells.
Vincent Kompany continues on the sidelines for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala occupying the centre of defence.
Arsene Wenger’s side, who are the only side to beat Leicester in the league this term, sit second, so will move to within two points of Claudio Ranieri’s men with a victory.
Arsenal have been handed an injury boost after forward Danny Welbeck admitted that he is confident of an early return to the squad in January.
Both teams have been ravaged by injury this season and come into the game with a total of 12 players either out or struggling.
Sergio Aguero makes his return against Arsenal, and while it’s expected that he will not play the full ninety minutes, he will provide another attacking option for the club who has seemed to find a decent rhythm without him. “It’s not a decisive game as after this we have to play 21 games more”, said Pellegrini, making the situation much lighter.
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FC’s Tommy Smyth gives you his betting tips for the weekend’s best matches.
