Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Manchester City To Win

Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Bet365

Tottenham Hotspur face a huge game in their challenge for a top four place as they face Manchester City at home on Sunday evening.

Jose Mourinho’s troops currently sit sixth in the Premier League and six points off the UEFA Champions League, with a victory against second-placed Manchester City surely providing a huge boost. Meanwhile, Manchester City will be aiming to hold onto second place amidst their fading title challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur

Having been in charge in North London for over two months now, it would be fair to assume that Mourinho’s honeymoon period has now ended. Following their 1-1 draw with Southampton in the FA Cup, Spurs have not won back-to-back games in all competitions since the end of November. Even more surprisingly, the team have only managed to win two out of their last eight matches, a poor return. Should they lose against Manchester City and results go against them throughout the weekend, they could potentially be nine points behind the current top four and that could maybe be their hopes of qualifying for the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League all-but ended. Having said that, a win could put them firmly back into contention.

One aspect that they need to rectify coming up against Manchester City is their not too inspiring defensive record on home soil. Mourinho’s troops only have two clean sheets at home in the Premier League – only relegation-threatened Norwich and Southampton have fewer.

Team News

The club completed a significant few deals during the final few days of the January transfer window. Giovani Lo Celso’s signature was secured on a permanent deal, whilst Steven Bergwijn was signed for big money from PSV. The Dutchman will hope to make his debut against the Sky Blues. Elsewhere, they will no longer be able to call on the services of Christian Eriksen who completed his protracted move to Inter Milan. On the injury front, Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko and Ben Davies all remain ruled out.

Manchester City

Despite losing their first match in their last nine with their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Pep Guardiola’s men were still able to celebrate having reached their third consecutive final, where they will now face Aston Villa. One aspect that they’re not quite so thrilled about though isthe gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool. Following the Reds’ 2-0 success on the road against West Ham United, City now sit 19 points behind in second and it looks almost impossible that they will lift their third consecutive Premier League crown. As a matter of fact, Guardiola’s troops now have the chance to notch three away league wins a row for the first time this season.

Regardless of the Reds’ relentless surge towards the Premier League trophy, City still have been quietly impressive. They are still the highest scorers in the league with 65 goals. No other side in Europe’s top-five divisions have found the net with such regularity in league play this season.

Team News

 The team have been given a significant boost in the last few days with winger Leroy Sane returning to training. However, he is not yet fit enough to be considered for selection. Meanwhile, Aymeric Laporte is struggling with fitness issues so might not feature. Elsewhere, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy have both been ruled out until at least early February.

Key Facts To Consider

• The last match between the two earlier this season ended 2-2
• Manchester City marginally have the better head-to-head record between the two teams (W63, D36, L61)
• There has not been two consecutive league draws between these two sides since 1990
• Sergio Aguero has had a hand in 16 goals in his last 17 appearances against Tottenham (12 goals, four assists)
• Pep Guardiola has faced no manager more throughout his career than Jose Mourinho. He currently has 11 wins in 22 matches.

Conclusion

This match could be a key one as each side continue to pursue their respective targets. Tottenham have managed to get the better of City on a couple of occasions in the recent past but the asbence of Kane should be massive for the hosts. Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero could well prove the difference on Sunday.

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Manchester City To Win

Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Bet365