Preview
This Thursday, we have just one Premier League game, but it s a hugely exciting clash between Manchester City and Tottenham. Man City need the win to maintain pace in the title race, while Spurs are in a thick top-4 battle.
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will face off in a Premier League battle of the giants on Thursday night at the Etihad after their respective derby losses at the weekend. t’s a crucial game for both Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte after their respective defeats in the Manchester and north London derbies.
When it comes to either City walking the championship fight after signing Erling Haaland or Spurs competing for the biggest prize in English football, neither team has really lived up to its preseason expectations. Another defeat would surely end any hope City have of catching Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, while Spurs cannot risk falling further behind in the race for the top four.
Spurs did the double over City last term, including a memorable 3-2 win in the corresponding fixture in February, but they head into this game in poor form and were second best for the majority of their game against Arsenal last time out.
In contrast, City were hit by a late rally at Old Trafford and they controlled that game for large periods, ultimately paying the price for not taking their chances early on.
Guardiola’s men will be desperate to put that right after losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, and they should be able to get back to winning ways against a Spurs side lacking in both ideas and confidence.
Form Guide: Manchester City
Man City’s title challenge took a hit with a weekend derby defeat to rivals United but a home clash with Spurs offers a chance to rebound.
The Citizens aim to recover from a heart-breaking loss in the Manchester derby, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Spurs.
Despite struggling to find his goal-scoring touch, a man to watch in the home team will be key attacker Erling Haaland, while Luis Dias and John Stones remain in the recovery room.
Man City are now eight points adrift of Arsenal as we approach the halfway point of the season, but there is still plenty of time for that gap to be closed down by the reigning champions.
The Manchester side have only failed to win two of their home games across all competitions this term and seven of their last nine victories at the Etihad Stadium have been by two or more goals.
Form Guide: Tottenham
Spurs slipped to a 2-0 defeat at home in the North London derby on Sunday. An own goal from Lloris handed the Gunners the lead and Odegaard made it 2-0 before the break. Tottenham failed to muster enough of a response and this game slipped away from them.
Spurs did the double over City last term, including a memorable 3-2 win in the corresponding fixture in February, but they head into this game in poor form and were second best for the majority of their game against Arsenal last time out.
Tottenham’s bid for Champions League qualification – and indeed their efforts to persuade Conte to agree on a new contract – are faltering, as they occupy fifth position in the standings and are currently five points behind Man United having played a game more.
How the game could go
Tottenham have undoubtedly enjoyed the better of this fixture of late, but previous successes should count for nought while the Lilywhites struggle for inspiration in all areas of the field.
North London-induced shocks have happened at the Etihad before, but it is too much of an ask to back the visitors after the men against boys-derby that unfolded on Sunday, so this should be the ideal game for Guardiola’s refreshed champions – who have had more than a day’s extra rest – to get back on track.
Guardiola’s men will be desperate to put that right after losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, and they should be able to get back to winning ways against a Spurs side lacking in both ideas and confidence.
Betting Predictions
Over 2.5 Goals
Spurs let Arsenal score two past them on Sunday and despite Antonio Conte’s reputation as a defensive coach, they have allowed far too many goals against them this season —27 goals — 13 more than their rivals Arsenal have allowed.
With a hungry Man City ready to make amends for derby defeat and Spurs experiencing some defensive woes, this should be a high-scoring game. City can easily put three or more goals past Tottenham. Bet9ja have 1.50, 1xbet have 1.52 and Paripesa have 1.52 odds.
Both teams to score (YES)
Both teams found the back of the net when these two sides last went head-to-head in the Premier League, a game the visitors Tottenham won 3-2 in the end. Both teams have scored in three of Man City’s last four league games and neither of these teams have the best defensive record of late. Both clubs have only managed to keep two clean sheets in their last six attempts, so you can see why we’re backing the attackers to come out on top in this game.Bet9ja have 1.72 odds, Paripesa have 1.83 and 1xbet have 1.83 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Haaland
Erling Haaland has now gone three games without a goal for Manchester City. This can be termed as a bad sign for his next opponents as he is not the type of player to go down easy. Tottenham have a lot of defensive frailties and he would capitalize on them effectively. Bet9ja has 1.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa has 1.57.
Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez appeals to be a prime goalscoring threat today. The Algerian has four goals in his last six games and is averaging 1.6 shots-per-game across all competitions. He has definitely reached that point of the season where he drops stellar performances. With Haaland now looking to be tame he is another player in the Manchester City squad who has the props to score goals and create magic. Bet9ja have 3.15 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.10.
Anytime Goalscorer (Tottenham)
Son
Spurs attacker Son Heung-min has a similarly prolific record, with goals in three of his five most recent PL H2H starts. However, he has scored just one goal from his last five competitive outings.
This doesn’t look attractive for a selection today but given his history in this fixture in recent years he is a top choice to score today. Bet9ja have 4.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 5.00.
Kane
Harry Kane has played 19 games, taken 49 shots overall with 34 finding the target, and scored 15 goals. He has a history with today’s opponents and there is no doubt Conte trusts him to do something here today. He has the ability to score at any given moment just like his counterpart Haaland and we trust him to put up a fight for his side. Bet9ja have 3.30odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.40.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
