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Harry Redknapp says he is still not ‘ready to trust’ Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side and predicts Manchester City will come away from this weekend’s crunch match at the Etihad with a 2-1 victory.
Arsenal ensured they went into the international break at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a dramatic 2-1 defeat of Brentford, with the north London club currently sitting above second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.
The Gunners’ title credentials were called into question over a disappointing winter period, but Arteta’s men have bounced back emphatically and will no doubt take inspiration from their win over City in October’s reverse fixture at the Emirates.
Sunday’s visitors will also be encouraged by the fact that City, last year’s treble winners, will be without two of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted defenders in John Stones and Kyle Walker, who both picked up injuries while on England duty.
Though Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes all appeared to miss training on Friday, Arteta said there was a ‘chance’ the trio could play a part in Manchester at his pre-match press conference.
Turning his attention to Sunday’s other intriguing encounter, former Tottenham and QPR boss Redknapp – previewing the action for BetVictor – backed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to have too much firepower against a ‘shaky’ Brighton defence at Anfield.
The Reds drew 1-1 at home to Guardiola’s champions in their last top-flight clash, while Brighton beat lowly Nottingham Forest after an own goal from Andrew Omobamidele.
Harry Redknapp’s prediction: Man City 2-1 Arsenal
‘What a game this is. It’s usually around this point of the season that Manchester City really turn it on and go up a gear, can they do that this year? A win here, and I think they’re the team to beat once again.
‘As for Arsenal, it’s all been building towards this game. The form recently has been just fantastic, so many goals, so many lads playing well.
‘That being said, they were in a similar spot last season, and they couldn’t get the job done in the games against City. Do this side have the belief that they can go to City and get the job done?
‘I just don’t know if I’m ready to trust this Arsenal side. City and Pep Guardiola just know how to win these big games, they’ve been doing it for years.
‘The crowd will be up for it, the big players will be up for it, and I think they’ll get the win. Who knows though, I can’t wait!’
Harry Redknapp’s prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Brighton
‘What a massive few weeks ahead for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp was certainly not happy after that Manchester United game in the FA Cup, they really blew that game at the end, very unlike them.
‘They’ve got back-to-back league games at Anfield though, that should set them up nicely going into April.
‘It’s been a difficult season for Brighton, but they’ve been unlucky in the injury department. Going out of the Europa League was disappointing but they’ve just conceded too many goals this season.
‘It will be interesting to watch what happens here in the summer, Roberto De Zerbi will still be a wanted man.
‘I can see Brighton scoring, but they’ve looked shaky at the back for months.’
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