Arsenal vs Manchester City Soccer Odds Carabao Cup Final

The 2017-18 League Cup final, also known as the Carabao Cup, will take place on Sunday from London’s historic Wembley Stadium. Manchester City took down Bristol City in two legs in the semi-final round, while Arsenal had the tougher task, beating Chelsea in a two-leg semifinal to reach the championship game. Coming in the midst of EPL play, this is also one of the largest soccer competitions in England, so both teams are taking time away from their Premier League preparations to tangle for this trophy. Check out our soccer odds preview on this matchup.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Soccer Odds Carabao Cup Final

🗣️ So boss, what’s the key to beating Manchester City?#AFCvMCFC pic.twitter.com/Yv11jHjbHo

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 23, 2018

When: Sunday, February 25, 2018, 11:30am ET Where: Wembley Stadium, London TV: ESPN Radio: None Live Stream: WatchESPN Soccer Odds: Manchester City 8/13, Draw 18/5, Arsenal 9/2

Why should you bet on Arsenal?

In the EPL table, Arsenal sit 27 points behind Manchester City. However, City just lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic, a third division League One team, in the fifth round of the FA Cup. So we see that moving outside Premier League play can lead to unusual results that do not follow form. Last year, Arsenal knocked off Chelsea to win the FA Cup, which salvaged a season for Arsenal in which they failed to make it into the Champions League for the first time in two decades. Now that Arsenal are just sixth in the EPL table this year, their manager, Arsene Wenger (who turned that FA Cup title into a contract extension) is emphasizing the importance of the Carabao Cup to the press. As far as injuries go, Aaron Ramsey will be out in the midfield due to a groin injury, and striker Alexandre Lacazette has a bum knee. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup-tied and cannot take the field for Arsenal in this competition. If you like Arsenal, then you see their historic track record of playing well in Wembley for cup finals coming through again and giving them an advantage against City. However, if you want to beat City, you have to put on considerable pressure so that they can’t build up from the rear, or you have to go into all-out defensive mode and frustrate their attempts to build chances. Arsenal do not do either of those strategies well, which could make this a long day for the Gunners.

Why should you put your money on Manchester City?

Manchester City have put together an amazing season in Premier League play this year. Unless they simply collapse, they will win the title running away, and they should also make it to the quarterfinal in the Champions League, coming off a 4-0 rout of Basel in the first leg of the round of 16 last week. The stern reminder that came from that loss to Wigan Athletic showed that even a team like City can never take a game, or even a half, off in terms of effort, because the other sides out there are hungry and see City as a major target every time they face off. As far as roster decisions, Fabian Delph is under suspension, so manager Pep Guardiola has to figure out who will start at left back. Claudio Bravo is expected to start in goal, and striker Gabriel Jesus is expected to return from injury to make his start. If you like Manchester City, then you see their dynamic offense taking charge of the match from the get-go and pouring too much pressure on Arsenal for the Gunners to keep them out. Arsenal have quite a bit of experience playing in tournament finals such as this one, but they are playing far below City as far as team quality, even in the European competitions.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The chance to play in a tournament final will have both teams playing at their best, but City just have too much offense not to be able to come out with multiple goals in this game. Arsenal will give their best, but City will win by a final of 3-2.