Preview
After the disappointment of a late losing goal in the Community Shield final against Leicester, Man City will be eager to strike back with a win on opening day against Spurs. There would’ve been plenty of more favourable fixtures for City but Spurs don’t look in great shape ahead of this season, it would be a much sterner test any other year.
Harry Kane is highly unlikely start after his links with City, and a lack of training, whilst Bryan Gil is also a doubt given his involvement in the Olympics.
Having wrestled the Premier League trophy back off Liverpool, Manchester City will be looking to consolidate their status as reigning champions of English football with another title challenge, but Pep Guardiola faces a daunting curtain raiser against one of the division’s so-called ‘Big Six’, travelling to the capital this weekend.
The subplot for this contest in north London of course revolves around Harry Kane. The wantaway forward has made no secret of his desire to challenge for silverware, even if that means leaving his beloved Spurs, and City have proven the biggest admirers of his signature.
Spurs might therefore be best set to try contain and counter, a method that seemed to catch City out a fair bit in 19/20 but one they managed to get on top of last season given Pep Guardiola’s alterations to a more slightly more pragmatic way of working.
Even with Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden unlikely to feature, there’s a scary depth to City and players like Riyad Mahrez, Ferran Torres and Jack Grealish will be eager to make their mark and try nail down a starting spot. The relative lack of options for Pep may make him opt for a low margin game, but they have enough stardust to edge it.
Form Guide: Tottenham
The Nuno Espirito Santo era begins at Tottenham on Sunday and the former Wolves man couldn’t be coming into a more difficult situation. Star striker and talisman Harry Kane is pushing for a move to Sunday’s opponents and after returning to training late he’s unlikely to be available against his potential suitors.
Kane’s potential absence severely damages Tottenham’s chances of getting anything out of this game and considering they lost 12 of their Premier League outings last season I fancy Manchester City to get their title defence off to a winning start.
Form Guide: Manchester City
The reigning champions have more than a few selection issues of their own, though, with Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte ruled out and Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling all doubts.
It’s a testament to their strength in depth that they still have top-tier players all over the pitch despite this lengthy list of absentees. £100 million man Jack Grealish is likely to get his first start for Manchester City in a front three alongside Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez, while a midfield trio of Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and Fernandinho is more than capable.
How the match could go
Pep Guardiola’s side did drop off the boil a bit towards the end of last season and their defeat in the Community Shield last weekend wasn’t the ideal start to a new campaign, but they have more than enough quality to get the win on Sunday.
They lost their final league away game to Brighton in May but prior to that had won an incredible 12 consecutive trips in the top flight. I’m backing them to get the season off to a flyer and, given Kane’s likely absence and the fact Man City have won seven of their last 12 league trips away to win, it is likely that the reigning champions will take the win here.
Betting Predictions
Man City to Win
We’re predicting a win for the visitors on Sunday as Man City have won three of their last six encounters with Tottenham. Tottenham are most likely going to be without Harry Kane this weekend and when they are without him they not only lose the focal point of their attacks but also the majority of their goals. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Bet365 have 1.66 and 1xbet have 1.68.
Over 2.5 Goals
It is unlikely that Harry Kane will be involved here, which will definitely be a big miss, but with Heung-Min Son in good form, he will pose a big threat to City. City also have their potency in attack, and with both sides coming from good preseason runs, we expect goals on both ends. These teams rarely go without scoring in their matches and three or more goals have been scored in their recent games. With the attacking talent on show, back this to produce over 2.5 goals. Bet9ja have 1.82 odds, Bet365 have 1.87 and 1xbet have 1.92.
Anytime Goalscorer (Tottenham)
Heung-Min Son
Spurs’ threat will come in the guise of Son Heung-min, who is something of a kryptonite character for Guardiola. The South Korean has only scored more goals in all competitions against Southampton (11) than he has against City (six). In fact, he has scored in all three of his appearances against the Citizens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so City must be wary of this elite attacking threat. Bet9ja have 3.50 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.60.
Steven Bergwijn
In the potential absence of Harry Kane, he could be the one to lead the line and he’ll be eager to make a point. In fact, it could be an exhibition for him to show Nuno how life could be without their talisman in Harry Kane. A goal against the reigning champions will be more than good for his confidence. Bet9ja have 5.00 odds for him to score while Bet365 have 5.50.
Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester City)
Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez is the one to watch. The Algerian has enjoyed a relatively quiet summer and scored three goals in his final five competitive appearances last term. He followed that up with goals in each of his international friendlies in June and there are all indications to hint that he can punish Spurs today. Bet9ja have 2.85 odds for him to score while Bet365 have 2.87.
Raheem Sterling Raheem Sterling lit up the Euros with some terrific performances in England’s run to the final and he will want to pick up where he left off. He’ll be eager to prove his worth to City once again and he’ll be fired up to grab a goal on the opening day of the season. Bet365 have 2.75 odds while Bet9ja have 2.87.
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.
