Manchester City host Arsenal on Wednesday evening in what is set to be a potentially season-defining clash for both.
Arsenal head north with a five-point advantage in the Premier League title race, but would have hoped for more distance having played two more games. Mikel Arteta's side drew a third straight game in coming from 3-1 down against Southampton on Friday, following draws against Liverpool and West Ham previously.
That hands City the advantage after months of chasing and Pep Guardiola will know that anything but defeat places the title in their hands. The Blues have won their last six in the league and have lost just once at home all season.
ALSO READ: Every word of Pep Guardiola's pre-Arsenal press conference
It's set to be a mammoth clash at the Etihad with two excellent sides in action and so much on the line in terms of the title race. Here are the pundit predictions for the game...
Chris Sutton (BBC)
"I am very confident with my prediction for this game - the only thing I wasn't sure about was whether Arsenal would score.
"The Gunners are playing this match at one of the worst possible moments because City have found their rhythm and are hitting some incredible form.
"I really hope Arsenal are brave and take the game to City because the Gunners' attack is their strength, but in many ways that will play into the home side's hands.
"Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus - on his return to Etihad Stadium - will all carry a threat, but we have seen how vulnerable they are at the back in the past few weeks, and how on earth do you stop Erling Haaland and co?
"If, say, Nathan Ake is out injured then that will hamper City a bit, but I still see Pep Guardiola's side really dominating the game, and they are absolutely relentless when they come forward."
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
Paul Merson (Sportskeeda)
"This is a game that Arsenal cannot lose. If they lose, it's all over, and Manchester City can even afford a slip-up. There's still a lot of football to be played, but Man City are on a roll. They do have to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, however, and if they lose over two legs, it could knock their confidence.
"Nathan Ake hasn't been playing for City - he's kept Saka in his pocket in the last couple of games and he'll be a big miss. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman got to Man City when they faced Bayern Munich and were really dangerous. Arsenal are strong down both their flanks with Saka and Martinelli and could cause them a few problems.
"Arsenal played Fabio Vieira instead of Jorginho last week, and I thought that was unbelievable. They've brought Jorginho in to be a calm head in big matches. I didn't think the game against Southampton was a foregone conclusion, and to keep Jorginho on the bench was a big mistake.
"Southampton wouldn't have believed their luck when they saw Jorginho on the bench. He sits in, dictates play, and controls games. With Holding playing instead of Saliba, Arsenal needed protection from their midfield - not people getting turned. Arteta hasn't done a lot wrong this season, but he made a mistake there.
"Arsenal have gone and tried to win every match this season, but you can't go to Man City and play gung-ho football. The season might catch up with City, and Pep Guardiola has already said that they're tired. When he starts saying it, the players start believing it.
"If this game ends in a draw, Manchester City will have to win both their games in hand to take the lead. It's a bit like when you're 5-3 down in tennis, and you need to hold your serve and make sure you don't break. Man City have been outstanding, but people do get nervous and the pressure can get to them.
"Arsenal get too confident at times, and they should have steamrolled West Ham and Southampton. You can't drop points like that when you're playing for a league title. They do have the players to hurt Manchester City, however, and I think they can get a result here."
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
Mark Lawrenson (Paddypower)
"I’ll go for Manchester City to win this. I’m fascinated by the way Arsenal will approach this game. When you look at them and number of times they’ve been in front and looking comfortable to only go on and cause themselves all sorts of problems… City have been in this position many, many times before, normally on the last day of the season! They won’t be fazed. I’m really looking forward to seeing this game."
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
