- Chris Sutton has made his prediction for the Carabao Cup final
- He was impressed by Man City in their midweek defeat
- However, he has concerns about this weekend’s match being dull.
Chris Sutton is expecting a cagey affair when Manchester City play Arsenal this weekend and he reckons the game will go right down to the wire.
Arsenal have often been criticised this season for being boring to watch and it is claimed Mikel Arteta relies too much on set pieces.
Nevertheless, Manchester City have not always been entertaining, especially in their recent Premier League fixtures.
Pep Guardiola has felt the wrath of Man City’s supporters, with many feeling there is too much sideways passing in the team’s build-up play.
Therefore, what should be a game of close game of high standards might actually become the type of snooze fest nobody wants.
Chris Sutton predicts Man City to win a ‘dull’ Carabao Cup final
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has made his weekly predictions for the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, as well as the League Cup decider.
He was impressed by Man City’s ‘brilliant’ performance in the Champions League and is backing them to secure the first English trophy of the season.
However, Sutton is not expecting to be entertained, as he cannot see either side looking to be brave and take risks.
“I don’t think this game has any bearing on the Premier League title race,” the pundit told BBC Sport.
“The narrative that has been doing the rounds for a long time is that whoever wins this game wins the title, but that is not the case now – City are not catching Arsenal whatever happens at Wembley.
“City are out of the Champions League now but I have got to say I thought they were brilliant on Tuesday against Real Madrid, before and after they went down to 10 men.
“They went for it and they were not just brave, they created plenty of chances.”
Sutton added: “With the nature of the Premier League this season, I think this will be a very different game, however.
“I fear this will be a really ugly and dull encounter, where both teams avoid taking risks.”
Sutton’s prediction: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City (City to win on penalties)
Man City will not want to be caught out in another big game
It feels like there could be some truth to what Sutton is saying. Arsenal have their way of playing and its purpose is not to be a good watch.
Then there is City, who will be wary of how Real Madrid put them to the sword at the Bernabeu when they tried to take the game to their Spanish opposition.
All Madrid had to do was remain secure at the back, before relying on Federico Valverde to create some magic when Man City overcommitted at the front of the pitch.
Arsenal will likely attempt something similar, so Guardiola will be determined not to go overboard trying to score goals.
