The Premier League title race has become a two-horse affair, with Manchester City running mostly neck and neck with Chelsea. That makes every big match the two teams have all the bigger, with each side eager to pull in as many points as possible to try and surpass and pull away from the other. Coming in to the weekend, Chelsea had a two points advantage, and with their emphatic win over Swansea yesterday, the pressure now falls on Manchester to secure three points against Arsenal just to keep up.
Manchester City vs. Arsenal live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch the EPL online
After Chelsea’s dominating Saturday win, Manchester City need to get all three points to keep pace at the top of the table.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Arsenal, for their part, will want to steal a win on the road in order to pull closer to the top four again. They’ve spent precious little time in the EPL’s Champions League qualification places, and even now a win wouldn’t bring them in to their coveted position. Though it would take them back above rival Tottenham in the table, which would be a nice consolation prize in the meantime while they claw their way closer to their goal.
Key player - Fernando Reges (Manchester City)
With Yaya Toure away at the African Cup of Nations, the burden of balancing Manchester’s midfield is going to have to go somewhere. The duty will likely fall to Fernando Reges, the more dynamic and versatile of City’s two defensive midfielders. He doesn’t have the thunderous attacking presence that Toure provides, but his energy and ability to serve as an outlet and supporting presence will help City stay balanced and even, which is especially important today with Arsenal’s midfield returning to full strength. City’s best chance of winning this match will come with Reges playing well and helping facilitate their play in all phases.
Key Matchup - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) vs. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
With Arsenal coming off the back end of an injury crisis, they finally have most of their first-choice defense back, but a couple of them are still getting back to their feet. Koscielny especially has looked a little ragged since he got back on to the pitch, still not close to his top form. That leaves him open to being targeted by City and by Aguero, who’s still finding his way back himself after his own injury spell. Whichever injury-plagued player gets the better of the other could well decide this match.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Yaya Toure (AFCON), Wilfried Bony (AFCON), Samir Nasri (calf) In doubt: Edin Dzeko (calf)
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Mikel Arteta (ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Danny Welbeck (thigh), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Abou Diaby (calf)
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky GO (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
See More:
