Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur betting preview

Sunday, January 22, 2017, 4.30am AEDT, Etihad Stadium, watch on Optus Sport.

Table position:
Manchester City: Fifth
Tottenham Hotspur: Second

Season record:
Manchester City: 13-3-5
Tottenham Hotspur: 13-6-2

Last five match results:
Manchester City: LWWLW
Tottenham Hotspur: WWWWW

Win draw win odds:
Manchester City: $2.10 with Sportsbet.com.au
Draw: $3.50 with Sportsbet.com.au
Tottenham Hotspur: $3.40 with Sportsbet.com.au

AS far as big English Premier League games go, this one is a monster that could have serious repercussions on the standings in the race for the title.

While every one is chasing Chelsea at the top – seven points ahead of Tottenham – just three points separates Spurs in second and City in fifth.

That’s what we call tight, with Liverpool and Arsenal sitting in between in a chase for the top.

But this one looks a very tall order for a Manchester City side that has lost its way.

In complete contrast, Spurs won their game against West Bromwich Albion, 4-0 on the weekend, while the Sky Blues were on the wrong end of the same result, chewed up and spat out by Everton.

This time around the clash between two of the Premier League’s power clubs has some some intrigue in that City has won five of its past six home games at Etihad Stadium.

But there in lies the problem.

The tail of the tape shows Spurs have been dominant against the Mancs.

Only Chelsea, with seven, have won more away games against City than Spurs, who have six.

And the last three clashes between these two teams have produced the same result: Spurs coming away with all three points.

These two teams last met in October last year and it was a pitiful effort from City that ended in a 2-0 result Spurs’ way, that could have been a hell of a lot worse.

Victor Wanyama was an absolute boss for Tottenham in the midfield, finding a mountain of the ball and playing a near perfect passing game.

But the goals came first from an Aleksander Kolarov own goal, the wing back turning Danny Rose’s cross into his own goal, before Son Heung-Min found man of the moment Delle Ali on a blistering run and he made no mistake.

Both the goals came before half time, but there should have been more. Spurs peppered the City goal and should have at least been 3-0 up when Son and Erik Lamela argued over who should take a penalty, before the Argentine fired it straight at keeper Claudio Bravo, who easily saved it.

Nicolas Otamendi, Kolarov and Fernando were woeful in defence for City and at least two of those three are not expected to be in the starting line up for this clash.

Possible team line ups

Manchester City: Claudio BRAVO, Bacary SAGNA, Nicolas OTAMENDI, John STONES, Gael CLICHY, Yaya TOURÉ, Pablo ZABALETA, Raheem STERLING, David SILVA, Kevin DE BRUYNE, Sergio AGUERO

Tottenham Hotspur: Hugo LLORIS, Eric DIER, Toby ALDERWEIRELD, Jan VERTONGHEN, Kyle WALKER, Victor WANYAMA, Mousa DEMBÉLÉ, Danny ROSE, Christian ERIKSEN, Delle ALLI, Harry KANE

First goal scorer predictions

Manchester City:

Sergio Aguero ($4.20 with Sportsbet.com.au)

One of the best in the business is still finding his feet after serving a suspension for a red card incurred in a big loss to Chelsea last year. Four games back from his suspension and he has two goals, but could not find the net on the weekend in the shellacking at the hands of Everton. Back him to get back on track in this one.

David Silva ($9.50 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Always more provider than scorer, Silva has the ability to unleash on any given day and did so only about a week ago when he struck in a 5-0 rout of West Ham. Silva hasn’t been quite as prolific in recent days, with just one goal from his past six appearances, but you always feel he is a chance when the ball is at his feet.

Tottenham Hotspur:

Christian Eriksen ($9 with Sportsbet.com.au)

While he has been dropping dimes lately, with four in his last four, Christian Eriksen has scored on both of his previous visits to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. History counts for plenty in this competition and, while he hasn’t scored since the middle of last month, on his day, he can be among the most devastating attackers in the Premier League.

Harry Kane ($6 with Sportsbet.com.au)

If he’s not the best striker in the Premier League, he is oh, so close. Harry Kane almost single handedly holds the Spurs’ fortunes in his outrageously talented attacking boots. And he ended 2016 and started 2017 with a massive bang. He’s fired in six goals in his past four appearances, including a hat trick against West Brom last time out. He is on fire and you simply cannot go wrong with the English international.

Match predictions

Match result: Tottenham Hotspur to win ($3.40 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Correct match score:
Tottenham to win 2-1 ($11 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Total match goals: Over 2.5 goals ($1.69 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Yes, we know it is on the road, but, as much as we would like to, you simply cannot argue with the stunning form Tottenham has produced over the past two months. All they do is win and the same cannot be said for City. While Spurs appear driven and destructive in front of goal (Harry Kane has certainly helped) City has mixed periods of sterling play with a listlessness that is beginning to characterise their season. A loss here could conceivably curtail any faint hope City had of chasing down Chelsea and winning the title. If Tottenham wins, it only underlines the fact that this club is a serious contender. Spurs have won their last six league matches in a row – they have never won seven consecutively in the Premier League. It’s about to happen and $3.40 is monster odds for a side going as well as this. Be happy, Spurs supporters.