There’s a minute’s silence for the victims of Covid-19, including Pep Guardiola’s mother Dolors Sala Carrio, after which the 22 players and the referee Anthony Taylor take a knee.
Manchester City (4-3-3) Ederson; Walker, Garcia, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Gundogan, D Silva; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Substitutes: Carson, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Rodri, B Silva, Fernandinho, Aguero, Sane, Foden.
Substitutes: Carson, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Rodri, B Silva, Fernandinho, Aguero, Sane, Foden.
Arsenal (possible 4-2-3-1) Leno; Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Mustafi, Tierney; Xhaka, Guendouzi; Aubameyang, Willock, Saka; Nketiah.
Substitutes: Martinez, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Martinelli, Lacazette, Pepe, Nelson.
Substitutes: Martinez, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Martinelli, Lacazette, Pepe, Nelson.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
For heaven’s sake, man, cool your jets! This is only game two of 92 in the Great Summer Festival of Football, and you’ve already ingurgitated all the Wagon Wheels. And what’s happened to that crate of Hofmeister? That was supposed to last until Crystal Palace v Burnley a week on Monday!
Yep, the Premier League is back with a view improving the nation’s morale, and probably its obesity levels. Aston Villa v Sheffield United is taking place right now - you’ll be pleased to know the Premier League restart has already descended into farce - with the main course to follow at the Etihad. We’ve sacrificed plenty in the last few months, so now it’s time for a peedie reward: we get to watch Kevin De Bruyne play association football. Unless Pep leaves him out, in which case we can always head over to Fred Dinenage: Murder Casebook on Sky Crime.
City start this game in second place, 25 big ones behind Liverpool. If they lose tonight, Liverpool will be able to clinch the title at Goodison Park on Sunday. Arsenal are ninth, with realistic hopes of a Europa League place and an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
It’s surprising to note that Arsenal have lost fewer Premier League games than City this season, though City will make it seven apiece if they win tonight. In the year 2020, most bets are off, but I doubt many will back against City tonight.
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