Arsenal vs Manchester City predictions and betting tips – Titanic tussle at Wembley

Arsenal and Manchester City will put their Premier League title bids to one side this weekend as they contest the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

This is a clash between the two best teams in England right now. Who will claim the trophy on Sunday? Here is what we expect to happen in north London when Arsenal face Manchester City.

• Arsenal to lift the trophy – 8/11 with Sky Bet
• Over 2.5 goals – 20/21 with 247Bet
• Ebere Eze to score any time – 16/5 with Betfred

Arsenal vs Manchester City odds

Find the latest Arsenal vs Manchester City betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Arsenal vs Manchester City predictions

Every EFL Cup final is important for the two teams involved, but this one feels particularly significant.

There is more than just a trophy on the line this weekend. Arsenal and Manchester City are also locked in a fight for the Premier League title, and the outcome of Sunday’s showdown at Wembley Stadium could have an impact on the battle to be crowned champions.

Arsenal lead the way at the time of writing. They boast a nine-point advantage over Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s charges have a game in hand.

A victory this weekend would only further increase Arsenal’s belief that this is their year. The Gunners have not beaten City away from the Emirates Stadium since 2020. There would be no better time to end that drought than Sunday.

For City, this is an opportunity to strike back at the team they have been chasing for most of the campaign. A win for Guardiola’s side would potentially induce a state of nervousness among the Arsenal players.

Of course, this game is not just a proxy for the Premier League title race. In fact, for one weekend only, the championship is a secondary concern for both clubs.

Arteta won the FA Cup with Arsenal back in 2020, beating City in the semi-finals. But that was a very different team to the one which has pushed so hard for a title in recent years.

Just look at Arsenal’s line-up from the final against Chelsea. It is not just that no one who started that day is at the club six years on, but only one of them was even at the Emirates last season (and Kieran Tierney had a bit-part role in 2024/25).

Of the nine Arsenal substitutes that day, only Bukayo Saka (who did not get on the pitch against Chelsea) is part of Arteta’s squad this term.

There is no doubt Arteta has done a terrific job over the last six and a half years. He has transformed Arsenal from also-rans to Premier League leaders. But this team could really do with a trophy to provide tangible proof of their progress.

City have won more than their fair share of silverware in recent years, but with Guardiola’s tenure seemingly nearing an end, they will be desperate to add a couple more trophies to their collection, starting with a fifth EFL Cup since 2018.

Arsenal vs Manchester City betting tips

A trophy is on the line when Arsenal face Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup.

Arsenal can do job

After finishing as Premier League runners-up for three consecutive seasons, and ultimately falling short in knockout competitions, it feels like this is Arsenal’s time.

The Gunners have been the best team in England this season, and perhaps even the best in Europe.

They are also in better form than Manchester City, who have drawn their last two league games and were knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid this week.

Arsenal have struggled to beat City at the Etihad Stadium in recent years, but on neutral soil we expect them to lift the trophy this weekend.

Back Arsenal to lift the trophy at 8/11 with Sky Bet

Goals on the cards

Arsenal have been criticised for their style of play at times this season, but in the Premier League game between these two in September, it was Manchester City who adopted a contain-and-counter approach.

This time, there is reason to believe we will see Arsenal and City go toe-to-toe at Wembley.

City are a wounded animal after their recent setbacks at home and abroad, but their inability to control games like they used to means Guardiola may take more risks in attack.

Whether or not that strategy succeeds remains to be seen, but it should contribute to an entertaining encounter.

Go for over 2.5 goals at 20/21 with 247Bet

Eze to notch again

Ebere Eze scored a stunning goal on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Eze has had his ups and downs this season, but there is hope at the Emirates that he is about to come good for the run-in.

That is precisely what happened with Eze last term, when his scintillating form in the spring inspired Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory.

At the odds available, it is well worth a punt on the England international finding the back of the net against Manchester City at Wembley, just as he did in the 2025 FA Cup final.

Tip Ebere Eze to score any time at 16/5 with Betfred

Arsenal vs Manchester City predicted lineups

• Arsenal expected lineup: Arrizabalaga; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.
• Manchester City expected lineup: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Khusanov, Aït-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly, Bernardo; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City

• Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 22nd March, 4.30pm.
• How to watch: ITV1 and ITVX, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

More English football predictions

We have plenty more English football predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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