Spurs did the double over Man City last season and while the teams
aren't going to be wildly different this time around, we've already seen
how the introduction of Pep Guardiola has transformed the Citizens.
After 10 straight wins under the new manager,
it may have been a surprise to see the run come to an end on Wednesday night at Celtic Park but we didn't really learn anything new about them, in that it's a team packed with goalscoring talent which is always vulnerable to conceding a few themselves. "I am pretty sure the players didn't think they were going to win every game this season. It is impossible," remarked Pep after the 3-3 draw, which seemed a perfectly reasonable and level-headed summary after what turned out to be a hugely exciting and entertaining night of football. Nolito is suspended for this one and with Kevin De Bruyne still missing through injury City will have to delve a little deeper into their squad, but Jesus Navas has plenty of experience of such big games in this division and it's he and Raheem Sterling who could really stretch Spurs if finding their stride in the early exchanges. Sergio Aguero needs no introduction and has scored nine times against Tottenham across the last four seasons so with Spurs' main man Harry Kane on the sidelines you could argue the Argentinian could be even shorter than the 4/1 available about him netting first. Vincent Janssen, Kane's deputy for now, is desperately in need of shaking off the 'Roberto Soldado' tag as he seeks his first league goal for the hosts. He looked relieved to open his account against Gillingham in the EFL Cup and in the eyes of many fans has already proved his worth with his overall contribution and link-up, something the aforementioned Soldado never quite achieved. Either way it's Son Heung-Min who has been Mauricio Pochettino's star so far this season and everything he touches seems to end up in the back of the net. I can't help but think the layers now have him on their side in the goalscorer betting and as a result there are some attractive prices elsewhere. Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela are both looking close to top form and the latter was impressive in taking the game by the scruff of the neck against CSKA Moscow in midweek, but it's Dele Alli who rates the standout bet after his eye-catching performance against Middlesbrough last weekend. Alli, on the scoresheet against Stoke last month, got 10 top-flight goals in the last campaign, including the opener against Man United at White Hart Lane in April. He is going to be pivotal in Spurs' fight for all three points without England team-mate Kane to call upon, but the draw appeals most as the outsider of three in the match market. In an attempt to boost the odds further, the recommendation is to back Spurs to secure a point from a trailing position at half-time. It's not something they've had to do much this season but they've picked up 1-1 draws against Everton and Liverpool having been down at the break and both wins over City last year came from half-time draws, so there's clearly a good attitude and even a better level of fitness to Pochettino's men.
Opta facts:
it may have been a surprise to see the run come to an end on Wednesday night at Celtic Park but we didn't really learn anything new about them, in that it's a team packed with goalscoring talent which is always vulnerable to conceding a few themselves. "I am pretty sure the players didn't think they were going to win every game this season. It is impossible," remarked Pep after the 3-3 draw, which seemed a perfectly reasonable and level-headed summary after what turned out to be a hugely exciting and entertaining night of football. Nolito is suspended for this one and with Kevin De Bruyne still missing through injury City will have to delve a little deeper into their squad, but Jesus Navas has plenty of experience of such big games in this division and it's he and Raheem Sterling who could really stretch Spurs if finding their stride in the early exchanges. Sergio Aguero needs no introduction and has scored nine times against Tottenham across the last four seasons so with Spurs' main man Harry Kane on the sidelines you could argue the Argentinian could be even shorter than the 4/1 available about him netting first. Vincent Janssen, Kane's deputy for now, is desperately in need of shaking off the 'Roberto Soldado' tag as he seeks his first league goal for the hosts. He looked relieved to open his account against Gillingham in the EFL Cup and in the eyes of many fans has already proved his worth with his overall contribution and link-up, something the aforementioned Soldado never quite achieved. Either way it's Son Heung-Min who has been Mauricio Pochettino's star so far this season and everything he touches seems to end up in the back of the net. I can't help but think the layers now have him on their side in the goalscorer betting and as a result there are some attractive prices elsewhere. Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela are both looking close to top form and the latter was impressive in taking the game by the scruff of the neck against CSKA Moscow in midweek, but it's Dele Alli who rates the standout bet after his eye-catching performance against Middlesbrough last weekend. Alli, on the scoresheet against Stoke last month, got 10 top-flight goals in the last campaign, including the opener against Man United at White Hart Lane in April. He is going to be pivotal in Spurs' fight for all three points without England team-mate Kane to call upon, but the draw appeals most as the outsider of three in the match market. In an attempt to boost the odds further, the recommendation is to back Spurs to secure a point from a trailing position at half-time. It's not something they've had to do much this season but they've picked up 1-1 draws against Everton and Liverpool having been down at the break and both wins over City last year came from half-time draws, so there's clearly a good attitude and even a better level of fitness to Pochettino's men.
Opta facts:
- Spurs have won 22 of their 38 Premier League games against City; should they win this game, they will have beaten them more often than they've defeated any other side (currently tied with 22 wins v Everton).
- Manchester City have lost both of their last two Premier League meetings with Tottenham, the same number they lost in their previous 11 top-flight clashes with the Lilywhites (W8 D1).
- There have been 22 goals scored in the last five Premier League meetings between these sides at White Hart Lane (9 for Spurs, 13 for Man City).
- Sergio Aguero has scored 28 goals in his last 27 Premier League appearances for Man City.
- Pep Guardiola needs a win from this game to break the record for best winning starts to a managerial career in the Premier League (currently tied with Carlo Ancelotti on six).
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