It has been an extremely challenging week for Manchester City, as the club has needed to deal with the news that the Premier League had found them in breach of over 100 financial regulations. That will be a story that will rumble on for a while, but it could potentially see them relegated to the second tier.
However, the attention turns back to the soccer this weekend, as they look to cut Arsenal’s advantage at the top. The Manchester City odds will see them as favorites, but Aston Villa has been improving under Unai Emery. You can find the latest Man City vs Aston Villa picks for today’s soccer matches below.
Man City vs. Aston Villa Odds
Manchester City will be the commanding favorite in the soccer betting odds for this fixture, and they are currently available at -400. An Aston Villa win is a +1100 chance, while the draw is +550.
Over 2.5 goals is always among the popular EPL picks for fixtures involving City, and that is available at -200 this weekend. Under 2.5 goals is an unlikely chance at +162.
Man City vs. Aston Villa Matchup Information
Man City vs Aston Villa
Location of the Game: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
Date and Time: Sunday, February 12, 2023. 11:30 AM ET.
How To Watch: NBC Sports/Peacock
Man City vs. Aston Villa Betting Preview
Man City
This is likely a week that City and Pep Guardiola will be looking to put behind them quickly. The threat of relegation if found to be guilty of financial rules by the Premier League isn’t something that the former Champions League-winning coach didn’t sign up to. However, City could use the siege mentality in their favor this weekend, as they look to bounce back after defeat last weekend.
City were beaten for the second time in four in North London last weekend, as Harry Kane’s goal secured maximum points for Tottenham Hotspur. However, City’s home form throughout the campaign has been reliable. Combined with that, City hasn’t lost back-to-back league games since December 2018.
Guardiola will be without two key stars for this fixture on Sunday, with both Phil Foden and John Stones remaining sidelined. It will be interesting to see if the Spanish coach rests a few stars, as City travels to the Emirates in midweek.
Aston Villa
The Aston Villa stats have been strong since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard. They now sit eleventh in the Premier League standings, and they could move into the top half with a victory at the Etihad on Sunday. At present, they are just a point behind Liverpool, and two adrift of Chelsea. However, a European challenge in the second half of the campaign remains extremely unlikely.
Villa comes into this fixture after a defeat in their previous match, as they were made to pay for costly errors against Midlands rivals Leicester City at Villa Park last weekend. They can ill-afford to give City the same opportunities at the Etihad this weekend. Villa’s away record against defending champions is also concerning, as they have won just once in 29 previous encounters.
However, their away record since Emery’s arrival has been strong, as they have landed victories in each of their previous three. The Midlands side hasn’t won four on the bounce on their travels in the top flight since February 2009. Before making Man City vs Aston Villa picks, it’s important to consider that key defender Diego Carlos remains out.
Man City vs. Aston Villa Betting Picks
City’s last home game against Villa ended in a 3-2 win to secure the Premier League title on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign. The news this week would have been a hammer blow to City’s long-term ambitions, but in the short term, I fully expect it to have a positive response.
The us-against-the-world mentality is something that Guardiola has used to City’s advantage in previous seasons, and that will be key to their aim of winning a third consecutive title this term. City has also won their previous 12 at home against Villa, making the home side the most straightforward of Man City vs Aston Villa picks this weekend. But, we expect a healthy win, so we are siding with the hosts on the spread.
Pick: Man City (-2) +162
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