Manchester City vs Arsenal: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions
This match is now overshadowed by the ongoing controversy over Smokin' Billy Gallas's drive for respec' from the kids. Innit or somesuch.
Manchester City is missing its talented 'keeper, Joe Hart, so Kasper Schmeichel will deputize and try to offer enough to stop Mark Hughes from casting around for further cover. With Dunne and Fernandes back after suspension City will hope to build on an encouraging performance against Hull and record the club's first win in the league since beating Stoke a month ago. Mark Hughes will look to Robinho for inspiration, the Brazilian scores most of his goals at home (six to date); but must hope that City can cling onto a lead for a change - City have avoided winning 6 games from winning positions so far this season.
Arsenal are missing a series of senior players, with Gallas stripped of the captaincy and not on the bus, Fabregas suspended and Toure injured the captaincy will probably go to Manuel Almunia - who is hardly in sparkling form at the minute. I hope that Gallas's failure to be on the bus is inspired by the late, great Brian Clough; and Wenger stopped at Watford Gap services (or Hilton Park or wherever, not Stafford though) and while Gallas nipped out for a crafty fag, Wenger instructed the driver to leave without him. Enough day-dreaming. The ever excellent Clichy will be at left back, but a probable centre half pairing of Michael Silvestre and Johan Djourou does not inspire too much confidence; fan favourite Emmanuel Eboue may be pulled to right-back to stiffen the sinews.
The in-fighting at Arsenal promises to make what was always going to be a tight game that much more difficult to call.
Manchester City vs Arsenal; Kick Off 3:00pm 22 Nov 2008
Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).
Tony Bellew : 0 - 3
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 3
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 2
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 2 - 2
Peter Lee : 1 - 2
Don McMahon : 1 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 3
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 2
Dan Taylor : 2 - 2
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 2
Isaac Williams : 2 - 2
Mark Williams : 1 - 1
Panel Verdict
The panel is not expecting an Arsenal defeat, but thinks that City will hold out for a draw.
Home: 1; Draw: 9; Away: 7; TBC: 1;
* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!
