ENGROSSING: Sunday’s clash at the Etihad will have a big impact on the title race with arsenal on top after 39 games

By Sports Reporter

The eagerly awaited Premier League clash between City and Arsenal also heralds the latest match-up between respective opposing managers Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

An Etihad encounter that will be followed by millions all around the globe promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2023/24 title race with both third-placed City and leaders Arsenal – along with second-placed Liverpool – all vying for the title.

Meanwhile, for Guardiola and Arteta, it also marks the latest chapter in a compelling and engrossing sub-plot that has seen the pair lock horns in the league eight times to date since Arteta took charge at the Emirates. The pair know each other better than most of course, with Arteta having been a key part of Pep’s City coaching team between the summer of 2016 and December 2019 before leaving the Etihad to take up the challenge of seeking to restore Arsenal to their former glories. Both across the course of Arteta’s three and a half years in Manchester as well as his subsequent time in North London, Pep regularly referenced his admiration and respect for the insight and knowledge provided by the former Everton and Arsenal midfielder.

For his part, Arteta has also spoken at length about what a pivotal figure Pep has proved in his own professional life and the enormous esteem in which he holds the City boss. During the course of Guardiola and Arteta’s respective tenures, City and Arsenal have become familiar rivals.

Away from their scheduled league clashes over that period, the clubs have also met twice in the FA Cup and once in both the Carabao Cup and Community Shield with the sides sharing two wins apiece from those encounters. In the league however it has been City who have enjoyed the upper hand.

Of City and Arsenal’s eight Premier League meetings to date under Guardiola and Arteta, City have won seven and lost just once.

BIRDS ON A WING and PRAYER

ORIGINAL DERBY: PIRATES TO RUFFLE  SWALLOWS’ FEATHERS

By Ali Mphaki

Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates are set to clash in a highly anticipated match on April 3, in a DStv  Premiership clash. The game will kick off at 17:30 at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Moroka Swallows currently holds the 14th position in the league standings. Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, occupies the 2nd position. In their previous encounter on December 5, 2023, Orlando Pirates emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Moroka Swallows2. This upcoming match promises to be an exciting battle between these two football giants. Swallows are on a poor run of form as they’re approaching this clash after defeats from Univ. of Pretoria and Sekhukhune United failing to register a single victory in their past 4 games. The coach and the players will probably put extra effort in the defense as they have been conceding goals for 4 consecutive home matches now.

Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, are approaching the match in a good mood securing victories in 2 straight games against Hungry Lions and Kaiser Chiefs extending their unbeaten streak to 6 matches.

Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates have met 6 times since August 2021. 2 matches ended in a draw while Orlando Pirates have won 4 times. Moroka Swallows have scored 2 goals in these 6 head-to-head matches in total while Orlando Pirates have scored 9. So, overall, Orlando Pirates have a better head-to-head record against Moroka Swallows in their recent history.