Matchday 38
It’s the final game of the 2023/24 Premier League season and the title is Manchester City’s to lose. They are currently sitting two points ahead of Arsenal, who welcome Everton to The Emirates in a must win game for the Gunners if they have any chance of lifting their first Premier League trophy in 20 years. Due to Arsenal’s superior goal difference albeit only by one, if Man City don’t get three points against West Ham and Arsenal do, then the title will be lifted by Mikel Arteta’s side. On paper this should be a routine victory for Pep Guardiola’s men but with a fourth successive title on the line. I don’t think this will be easy for the home side, that’s why I’m backing Both Teams to Score and Man City to Win at 2.10.
The Favourites
Manchester City usually end the season strongly and this year is no different, they are on a 22-game unbeaten run with their last defeat coming to Aston Villa in December. They will be tough to beat but have shown signs of nervousness as seen in their previous game against Tottenham Hotspur. It would be rude to write about Manchester City’s form without giving Erling Haaland a mention, the Norwegian has netted seven goals in his last four games, including four against Wolves earlier this month at the Etihad. Phil Foden is continuing to shine and Josko Gvardiol has been impressive of late chipping in with three goals from defence.
The Hammers
Although West Ham don’t have anything to play for this season, their main man Jarrod Bowen has been amongst the goals again this campaign with 16 goals to his name. Despite a less successful season than the previous campaign West Ham will want to finish it on a high and give David Moyes the send off he deserves.
City’s form
Even though Manchester City have picked up maximum points from each of their last three home games, they have conceded in all of them. Last game, against Spurs they looked shaky especially in defence with substitute Ortega making some world-class saves to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. This is a position Man City have found themselves in before on the ultimate day of the season. If you think back to their remarkable come back against Aston Villa two years ago or Sergio Aguero’s infamous goal against QPR in the dying minutes to snatch the title out of their rivals Man Utd’s hands. Man City tend to win but they don’t like to make it easy.
