“I had a bet in our dressing room” – Nemanja Matic reveals his and Tammy Abraham’s picks between Arsenal & Manchester City in title race
AS Roma midfielder Nemanja Matic has said that he and teammate Tammy Abraham made a bet on the Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City. Matic backed City to win it, while Abraham sided with the Gunners.
The Premier League has witnessed a feisty title race this season between the Gunners and City. Mikel Arteta’s side were cruising to the title,sitting eight points clear of second-placed City before the international break in March.
Things, though, went south for the Premier League leaders in April, playing out three consecutive draws before suffering a 4-1 defeat at City on April 26. Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, have been imperious, with their talisman Erling Haaland leading their charge.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Matic was asked whether Haaland would inspire City to a historic continental treble this season. The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder backed Haaland o help City’s cause, adding that he had a bet with his Roma teammate Abraham about the title race this season.
“I think so. I had a bet in our dressing room with Tammy a few months ago. He says Arsenal will win, I said City will win,” said Matic. “They have everything in their hands. They have experience of playing those kind of games. One bad result can change everything but City have more chance.”
Manchester City face reigning European champions Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semifinals in May. If they go past the Whites, they will have to beat either Inter Milan or AC Milan in the final.
Having beaten Sheffield United in the FA Cup semifinals, City face Manchester United in the final on June 3. If they come out on top in both cup competitions and the Premier League, City will become the second English team to win the treble, following Manchester United (1998-99).
Gary Neville urges Arsenal to keep focus
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has advised Arsenal to keep giving their best in the Premier League, as a City slip-up could allow them to reclaim their advantage in the title race.
🗣️| Gary Neville: “I think Manchester City will win the league. Still, things can happen. We have seen where a powerful team goes in front but then struggle, like Arsenal have had in the last few weeks.
“The year that City won the league for the first time in 2012, United got in… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/c8SoGj0nuf
On his podcast, Neville said:
"I think Manchester City will win the league. Still, things can happen. We have seen where a powerful team goes in front but then struggle, like Arsenal have had in the last few weeks. The year that City won the league for the first time in 2012, United got in front of them, and everyone thought: 'Oh, here we go; they are going to power forwards', and they didn't, they stumbled.”
Manchester City won their first Premier League title in the 2011-12 season, edging out Manchester United on the final day on goal difference. The two teams had finished level on 89 points.
Arsenal, are two points ahead of Manchester City, after beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates on May 2. City, who now have two games in hand, take on West Ham United in their next Premier League outing on Wednesday (May 3).