Prediction: Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Prediction: Manchester City to Win & Both Teams to Score

Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: 888Sport

Manchester City have a deficit to overturn against Tottenham Hotspur as they continue their pursuit of an historic quadruple.

Pep Guardiola’s men fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last time out courtesy of a Heung-Min Son strike. They now have a great opportunity on home soil to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City

That loss to Spurs in the first-leg was City’s first defeat in their last 15 games and their first loss in the Champions League since the 2-1 reverse at the hands of Lyon on the opening matchday. As a matter of fact, the clash in North London was only the third time in all competitions that City have failed to score in a game. The Citizens have not gone two games without finding the back of the net since March 2016. Their goalscoring form then will surely be a huge factor in this game considering that they simply have to find the net to go through to the next round of the competition.

Another aspect that could see the balance tipped is Manchester City’s form at the Etihad. Since the turn of the year, they have been flawless on home soil, winning 12 consecutive matches in all competitions. In that time they have also scored 49 goals at a rate of 4.08 per game and only conceded three at a rate of 0.25. Therefore, if Tottenham are to progress, they really will need to defend incredibly well.

Team News

Guardiola could have a considerable boost with Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho set to potentially return from a muscular injury. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko is a major doubt with a hamstring problem. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is still restricted to the sidelines.

Tottenham Hotspur

That solitary Son goal upon Tottenham’s European homecoming has given them a huge chance to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The North-Londoners have not reached the last four of any European competition of any sort since their appearance in the UEFA Cup semi-finals during the 1983-84 season. Despite a relatively tricky period recently, Tottenham appear to have recovered having won their last three games in all competitions including a thumping 4-0 win against Huddersfield Town last time out. They’ve also managed to keep three clean sheets within those games and have not managed to keep four consecutive shut-outs since September 2013.

One aspect that could potentially worry Mauricio Pochettino’s troops is their away form. Spurs have lost six out of their last seven games away from home including their 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at the end of March. In those defeats, they have conceded at least two goals in all of those so that could potentially be an area that Manchester City target.

Team News

Spurs do have a few considerable injury problems as they head to the Etihad Stadium. Harry Kane was injured in the last game between the two teams and is unlikely to return before the end of the season. Serge Aurier and Eric Dier are also both restricted to the treatment table. Dele Alli is also a doubt with a hand injury but could return in time to play a part in the game. Harry Winks is going to be missing until at least the weekend with a troublesome groin problem. In better news however, Fernando Llorente and Erik Lamela could both play a part.

Key Facts To Consider

• Both teams have an identical all-time record coming into the game (W61, D35, L61)
• Manchester City won the last game between the two at the Etihad Stadium 4-1
• Guardiola has only ever won more matches against three other managers in his career than Mauricio Pochettino
• Sergio Aguero has scored ten goals in 14 appearances against Tottenham Hotspur
• Tottenham’s last clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium came way back in 2010

Conclusion

This really could be an exciting match-up at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City have to win if they are to progress and their excellent record on home soil suggests that they could just do that, especially with the injuries that Tottenham have suffered. Nonetheless, Spurs too will be desperate to reach their first-ever UEFA Champions League semi-final. They surely cannot afford to sit back for the whole game so both sides are likely to find the net.

Prediction: Manchester City to Win & Both Teams to Score

Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: 888Sport