Former Arsenal star Philippe Senderos has made his predictions for Arsenal vs Leeds and Manchester City vs Liverpool as the title race heats up.
The Premier League gets back underway following the international break on Saturday with the blockbuster clash between the Citizens and the Reds before the Gunners play later in the day.
Mikel Arteta’s side have the chance to extend their lead over Pep Guardiola’s men to 11 points, with the odds of them winning their first Premier League title since 2004 looking a lot better.
For both sides every game from now till the end of May is a cup final and though on paper Leeds at home is an easy fixture, Senderos is wary that the relegation threatened side will be desperate to cause an upset.
‘Leeds have recovered a little bit with a win in their last game, and you know they’re always going to come out full of energy, the ex-centre-back exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone.
‘Arsenal have to be mindful of that, and definitely can’t afford to start the same way they did against Bournemouth a few weeks ago, that’s for sure.
‘But I think Arsenal, especially at home, will impose the game on any opponent, so while Leeds are fighting for every point right now, I don’t see them taking anything from this game. I think Arsenal will win 3-1.
‘Thinking with both my head and my heart, Arsenal will win the Premier League – I certainly hope that happens. We know they have to put all of their focus into these next 10 games.
‘They can benefit from being out of all other cup competitions, because they have nothing else to think about; there are no other distractions for them now – just 10 Premier League games.
‘Sometimes that can weigh on you, but I’m hopeful they can continue with the same mentality and conviction we’ve seen from them throughout the season.’
Senderos does not however believe that City will drop points against Liverpool and added that them playing before Arsenal will give the Citizens a big pyschological advantage.
He said: ‘Liverpool have been inconsistent this season, but they’ve actually done really well against the top teams in the division; they’ve already beaten Manchester City once this season, so you wouldn’t be surprised to see them take something from this game.
‘But they’re up against a really dominant team, at home, in Man City. They take control of so many games and they have such a good record at home. If everyone is at their best, City win that game.
‘Personally I always wanted to be the team playing in the early kick-off, because as a team, you’re putting the pressure on your opponents, and then you can sit back and watch how they get on later in the day.
‘While they’ll obviously be aware of what’s happened in that game before kicking off themselves, I don’t think if you’re Arsenal you can afford to watch the early kick-off, because you need to prepare for your own game.
‘It means that, whatever the result in that Man City game, it will be on the minds of the Arsenal players heading into their game against Leeds. There’s so much at stake at this point in the season.’
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