Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmakers: Bet 365
Tottenham welcome Premier League champions elect Manchester City to Wembley for a monumental clash between two of England’s top sides. Spurs are in fine form and are hosting the Cityzens at a great time. Pep Guardiola’s men have lost their last three games in a row, something that was unthinkable earlier in the season.
Tottenham
Spurs head into this game sitting fourth in the Premier League table, a comfortable 10 points above their London rivals Chelsea in fifth, and behind Liverpool on goal difference. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in prime position to secure a top four finish, thus securing Champions League football for next season, especially as they have a game in hand over the Reds. Add to that Tottenham’s excellent recent form and you are looking at a season that has once again brought success, and perhaps silverware finally too if the FA Cup goes to plan. A lot of people believe that Spurs are actually the most balanced, well-rounded side in the league, which makes the fact that they can’t quite reach the very top a little perplexing.
They are currently on an unbeaten run of 14 games in the Premier League that has included wins over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal and Manchester United at Wembley and a draw at Anfield. What’s even more impressive is that while Harry Kane missed a few games through injury, Spurs didn’t miss a step and looked as destructive as ever, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen stepping up to fill the gap. This will be an incredibly tough game for the North London side, but they are one of the teams most suited to taking on Manchester City.
Team News
Mauricio Pochettino has an almost entirely fit squad to call upon, with midfielder Harry Winks being the only absentee due to an ankle injury.
Manchester City
A team that was much fancied to go unbeaten all season in the Premier League, Manchester City have fallen apart in recent weeks and it is really taking a shine off what has been an otherwise outstanding season. Three consecutive defeats to Liverpool, Manchester United and then Liverpool again have seen the Cityzens crash out of the Champions League and fail to secure the league title by beating their eternal cross-city rivals at the Etihad. They have conceded eight goals in those three games, something that many wouldn’t have though possible earlier in the season, especially as Pep Guardiola’s men have only let in 24 league goals all season, the lowest tally in the top flight.
It must be remembered that these last three games have been outliers and City remain one of the best sides in Europe this season. They have scored a remarkable 90 goals in their 32 Premier League games and have lost just twice. They are still on track to breeze to the title and have netted 11 goals in their last five league games. Guardiola’s side will want to right the wrongs of the last three games when they face Tottenham this weekend, and they should be back at their best now they know that the league is all they have to focus on.
Team News
Pep Guardiola also has the vast majority of his players to call upon. Defender Benjamin Mendy remains side-lined due to a lack of match fitness, while Fernandinho is suspended.
Key Factors to Consider
- Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games.
- Spurs have also scored 33 goals across that stretch of games.
- Manchester City have now lost their last three games across all competitions.
- The Cityzens have only lost two league games this season.
- The last meeting between these sides ended 4-1 to Manchester City.
Conclusion
This is a tough game to predict, mainly because of what has been happening to Manchester City recently. It seems unlikely that the Cityzens’ losing streak will continue for much longer, but Tottenham are a hugely talented side in their own right and they have been in great form. A draw isn’t a result that will suit either side, but it seems a strong possibility.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 13/5
Bookmakers: Bet 365
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