Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction: Combined line-up

A struggling Arsenal take on defending champions Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides have had a disappointing season so far, with the Gunners currently sitting at ninth place and seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. Meanwhile, City have been inconsistent at times this season, which saw them slip to third in the league standings.

However, Pep Guardiola’s City are 10 points in front of Freddie Ljungberg’s Arsenal but the 2-1 derby loss to Manchester United in their last league game has left them 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Combined Arsenal-Manchester City line-up

Formation: 4-3-3

Ederson (GK)

The Brazilian is, without a doubt, one of the best in the league and has kept 5 clean sheets so far this season.

Kyle Walker (RB)

The Englishman has been a regular in the squad for some time now. He has been crucial for Man City since arriving at the club.

Nicolas Otamendi (CB)

With John Stones injured, the veteran defender gets the nod. A tough defender in his prime, Otamendi is prone to mistakes these days.

Fernandinho (CB)

In the absence of Aymeric Laporte, the seasoned Brazilian has established himself as the first-choice centre-back and has won the trust of Guardiola.

Angelino (LB)

Angelino has started more games for City than Mendy this season. He has looked dangerous whenever he has played and gets into the team ahead of his Arsenal counterparts as well.

Matteo Guendouzi (CM)

This has been a breakthrough season for the young Frenchman and he deservedly gets into this side ahead of Rodrigo, although it’s an arguable decision.

Kevin De Bruyne (RCM)

An inevitable presence in any squad and one of the best midfielders of his generation, De Bruyne (9) is the leading assist-provider in the league.

Bernardo Silva (LCM)

With midfield magician David Silva still remaining doubtful due to injury, Bernardo Silva, with 5 goals and 4 assists is surely the next in line to start.   

Read more:

• Why Ousmane Dembele to Man City would be a match made in heaven
• Why City should simply splash the cash to seal Sterling’s future
• Why signing Upamecano could offer City some stability at the back

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (RW)

Probably Arsenal’s only consistent player on the pitch. He is a prolific goal-scorer and has been in good form as always. He has 11 goals to his name as of now.

Gabriel Jesus (ST)

The Brazilian youngster scored a hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League recently and has also scored 5 league goals.

Raheem Sterling (RW)

One of the top players in the world, Sterling has been key to City’s recent successes. He has scored 8 league goals and 5 in Champions League.

Celtic vs Rangers Prediction: Combined Old Firm XI

Celtic and Rangers lock horns at Hampden Park in the final of the Betfred Cup on Sunday, as both the Old Firm giants look to get their hands on the first piece of silverware for the season.

It is the first time that the two powerhouses of Scottish football are going to meet each other in a cup final since Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Hoops in the League Cup way back in 2011.

Neil Lennon’s side beat the Gers 2-0 in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox back in September, and the ‘Treble treble’ winners will head into the League Cup final on Sunday in high spirits after Rangers lost valuable ground in the title race following a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Here’s the combined Old Firm XI featuring 5 Celtic and 6 Rangers stars ahead of the Betfred Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday:

Combined Celtic-Rangers XI

Allan McGregor (GK)

The 37-year-old has been in stunning form between the sticks for Rangers this season and while Fraser Forster too has put in some splendid displays, it would be fair to say that the veteran has been called into action way more often as compared to his counterpart.

James Tavernier (RB)

The Rangers captain is undoubtedly the best right-back in the entire division and few would have any arguments regarding that. Tavernier has somewhat blown hot and cold this season but he has shown signs of getting back to his best and that is a major boost for the Gers heading into the cup final.

Christopher Jullien (CB)

Question marks were raised when Celtic splashed out a staggering £7million to sign him in the summer but the Frenchman has proven himself to be worth every penny.

Jullien’s commanding displays have somewhat been reminiscent of Virgil van Dijk’s stint at Parkhead and he is definitely a sure pick for Sunday’s combined XI.

Kristoffer Ajer (CB)

The Norwegian has established himself as a sure starter in the heart of the defence for the Hoops this term and he has certainly done way better than the likes of Connor Goldson and Filip Helander. 

Borna Barisic (LB)

The Croatian had been written off by many following his disappointing debut season at Ibrox last term but he has made jaws drop with his incredible resurgence this season, with his pinpoint deliveries from the left flank a key part of Rangers’ dynamics.

Scott Brown (CDM)

An old warhorse of several Old Firm clashes, it’s hard to imagine a combined XI without him in the middle even when he is at the autumn of his career at 34.

Brown has continued to be one of the first names on Lennon’s team sheet this season and his injury-time winner against Hamilton on Wednesday was a clear warning sent to the Gers ahead of Sunday’s final.

Ryan Jack (CDM)

Central midfield is an area where both teams have plenty of quality and it’s former Aberdeen man Jack who gets the nod in the combined XI due to his impressive run of form this season.

With Jack beginning to add a lot of goals and assists to his game, he is certainly a player to watch out for on Sunday. It’s always hard to leave Callum McGregor out but one does get the feeling that he has been outperformed by the likes of Jack and Davis this term.

James Forrest (RW)

Arguably the most consistent winger in the Scottish Premiership over the good part of the decade, the Celtic academy graduate is a sure pick for the combined Old Firm XI. 

The number of goals and assists that he has accumulated over the years is quite astonishing and he could once again make all the difference on Sunday.

Ryan Christie (CAM)

Christie has been quite remarkable for Celtic this term and an overall tally of 16 goals and 10 assists in 28 appearances is certainly eye-watering for someone who is a No.10 by trade.

Rangers don’t have an out-and-out No.10 in their ranks, and while Joe Aribo might fall within that bracket, the Nigerian hasn’t been anywhere close to matching Christie’s brilliance.

Ryan Kent (LW)

Having completed a big-money permanent move from Liverpool back in the summer, Kent hasn’t really hit top gear due to his struggles with injuries.

However, he continues to be a potent threat for the Gers heading into Sunday’s clash and his brace against Hamilton last month was a timely reminder of his pedigree at this level.

Alfredo Morelos (ST)

This is the most decisive pick of the combined Old Firm XI and it’s the Colombian who gets the nod ahead of Odsonne Edouard. 

Morelos, who has scored 25 goals in all competitions already, is way ahead of the Frenchman when it comes to the number of goals scored this season. Edouard, of course, is a better all-round playmaking forward but the Colombian talisman has just been simply unstoppable this season. 

More Celtic News

• Why Ismaila Soro could be a good long-term prospect for Celtic
• Why Celtic should consider a loan move for Lewis Morgan in January
• Why Celtic should keep hold of Olivier Ntcham amidst interest

Ideally, picking both Morelos and Edouard in the combined XI in a 4-4-2 formation would have looked good on paper, albeit it wouldn’t have made much sense in footballing terms.

Manchester United vs Tottenham Prediction: Combined line-up

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho makes his first return to Old Trafford since his departure 12 months ago, when Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, United have not been in the best of positions, having failed to win either of their previous two league outings.

However, Mourinho, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the helm recently, has guided Spurs to two consecutive wins, helping them rise to fifth place in the table.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, nothing short of a win would ease the pressure, as they sit eighth in the table – two points short of Spurs.

However, United should be wary of the fact that they have gone nine league matches without keeping a clean sheet. Now let’s take a look at the combined line-up featuring stars from both the sides.   

Combined Manchester United-Tottenham Hotspur line-up

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Jose Mourinho

David de Gea (GK)

It has not been the best of seasons for the Spaniard. However, he has two clean sheets to his name compared to Spurs’ Paulo Gazzaniga who has none.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB)

The United full-back has been rock-solid defensively and is currently third in the list of players who have recorded the most number of successful tackles (55).

Victor Lindelof (CB)

The Swede was impressive in the game against Aston Villa and has been a regular this season. However, he needs to contribute more.

Harry Maguire (CB)

One of the high-profile names in the league, Maguire has not hit top form. However, he has been consistent and has 2 clean sheets so far.

Brandon Williams (LB)

The teenager has had an instant impact since making his debut in October. He has scored 1 goal from 5 appearances and likes to attack.

Scott McTominay (CM)

If fit, the Scotsman is sure to feature. The youngster has matured in his role as a deep-lying midfielder and has scored 3 goals this season.

Harry Winks (CM)

The technically-gifted Englishman could offer support in the middle with his quick and short passes. He likes to set the tempo in the midfield.

Heung-min Son (RW)

The talented winger is a sure pick in the attack and has an eye for goal. His 4 goals and 6 assists this season puts him ahead of United’s Daniel James.

Dele Alli (CAM)

He looks like a player reborn since Mourinho’s arrival. The Englishman has hit good form, scoring 4 goals from 7 games, and adds creativity upfront.

Marcus Rashford (LW)

Probably one of the most potent attackers in the league, Rashford has been excellent on the flank. Has scored 7 goals and is United’s top-scorer.

Read more:

• Why Jones could be a useful asset to injury scarred United squad
• Why extending Fosu-Mensah’s contract would be a safe bet for Man United
• Why Man United signing Salisu would be a worthy deal

Harry Kane (ST)

A definite choice in any side, Harry Kane is one of the most clinical finishers in the world at the moment. He has hit the target 7 times already.