Prediction: Manchester City vs Tottenham

Verdict: Both teams to score & Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Desperately seeking an essential boost on Saturday evening, Manchester City will welcome Tottenham to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, entering November’s international break in the midst of a public crisis, Manchester City are desperately seeking a crucial boost. Entering the fortnight interval with a dramatic late collapse away at Brighton as they fell to a 2-1 loss, the defending champions have broken a string of unwanted records over the past few weeks. In fact, the Sky Blues have remarkably lost each of their previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions. Marking their return sat five points adrift of Liverpool and top spot, the former Barcelona boss suddenly has some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Showing some rather glaring defensive struggles this season, Man City will also be concerned by their most recent showdown against Saturday’s guests. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end on October 30th following a 2-1 loss in north London, Guardiola’s side are seeking some immediate revenge.

Team News

While midfield talisman Rodri might have stated that he feels that a return before the end of the season is possible, the newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Likewise, dealing with a recent hamstring issue, Portuguese defender Ruben Dias remains a doubt this weekend.

However, although Phil Foden might have withdrawn from international duties over the past fortnight, City remain hopeful that the English ace will be able to feature here. Already notching 12 goals in his first 11 Premier League appearances, Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, heading into November’s international break with a shock 2-1 loss at home against Ipswich, Tottenham have continued to show some glaring inconsistencies this season. Suffering back-to-back defeats and marking their return with just their goal difference keeping them in the top-half, Ange Postecoglou’s men have a real challenge on their hands in the race to book a Champions League ticket. Last seen on their travels falling to an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray, the former Celtic boss will have a real headache over his side’s continued struggles outside of north London. Along with recording just a pair of Premier League wins on their travels since the start of March, Spurs have also lost all of their last three matchups outside the capital by an aggregate score of 7-4.

Team News

Suffering a long-term muscle injury earlier in the month, Tottenham will travel to Manchester without Brazil international Richarlison. Likewise, missing each of Spurs’ final three appearances prior to November’s international break, defensive star Micky van de Ven remains a doubt.

Handed a seven-match ban earlier in the week following an alleged racial slur about team-mate Son Heung-min, Rodrigo Bentancur will not play any part. Recording four Premier League goals since arriving from Bournemouth in a big-money move, Dominic Solanke will lead the line.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Tottenham met in EFL Cup action on October 30th, Spurs collected a 2-1 win in north London.
• Heading into the fortnight break with a 2-1 defeat against Brighton, Man City have lost each of their last four appearances across all competitions.
• Tottenham have recorded just a pair of Premier League victories outside of north London since the start of March.
• Norwegian record-breaker Erling Haaland has recorded 12 goals in his first 11 Premier League appearances.
• Five of the last six meetings between Manchester City and Tottenham have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Heading into November’s international break at the heart of a public crisis, Manchester City have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Marking their return from November’s international break sat five points adrift of top spot, Saturday’s hosts should also be concerned by their most recent showdowns against Spurs. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they travelled to north London for an EFL Cup battle on October 30th, we could be set for another pulsating affair this weekend. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of drama, we are backing a frantic affair from the Etihad.

Verdict: Both teams to score & Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet