Arsenal No.1 David Raya is currently the best goalkeeper in the Premier League (Picture: Danehouse/Getty Images)
What did the top-of-the-table barnstormer on Sunday tell punters about the Premier League title race? Well…
We already knew that Manchester City and Arsenal are the two class acts in the English elite despite the early success enjoyed by Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
We already knew City are the best, free-flowing side in the business and we already knew the Gunners defence is on a different level.
We also already knew there isn’t much between the two sides in the betting market and not a lot has really changed.
The ultimate difference at the end of the season could come down to a few intangibles and one of those could be the disciplinary records of the two clubs.
Arsenal have already had two players sent off this season and that indiscipline could come back to bite them down the stretch – arguably it’s already cost them four points, two each against Brighton and City.
So could their dark-arts policy which blurs the line between gamesmanship, time -wasting and downright breaking the rules. Another tough call on that one.
Both teams gained immense credit from the Etihad epic though, with City extending their unbeaten home run to 48 games while Arsenal have not lost away from home in 2024 and have taken seven points from daunting trips to Aston Villa, Spurs and now City.
Phil Foden needs to get up to speed after missing time through illness and can make a big impact against Watford (Picture: Getty Images)
They already boast the best defence in the Premier League and it is clear it is backed by the best goalkeeper in the top-flight with David Raya very much top of the tree.
City are now 5/4 with Ladbrokes, Coral and Betway for the title while Arsenal are 2/1 with bet365 and several others and we’ll stick with the Gunners, our ante-post selection, with little difference between the protagonists.
Meanwhile, City have a swift turnaround when they entertain Watford in a Tuesday night Carabao Cup tie and they have the strength in depth to swat away the Hornets’ threat even if there are multiple changes to their XI.
Phil Foden should start after being a second-half substitute against the Gunners and he’s 23/5 with SpreadEx to open the scoring and 6/5 with bet365 and BoyleSports to hit the net at any time.
City are 6/5 with Paddy Power and Betfair to win by more than two goals and a 3-0 home win appeals at 6/1 with bet365.
• Blackpool, Leyton Orient and Wigan form Tuesday’s Football League treble.
• England face more heartache in the one-day international series with Australia as it’s difficult to see them winning against the tourists at Chester-le-Street.
The Aussies are 8/13 to triumph with William Hill while punters’ pal Travis Head is 3/1 with Paddy Power and Betfair to be their top run scorer. Jamie Smith is 5/1 with the same two firms and Bet Victor to be the top batter for an England side which is currently at sixes and sevens at the crease.
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