Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
Premier League rivals Tottenham and Manchester City have been pitted against one another in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Tottenham
Starting with the hosts, picking up a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on the unveiling of their new home, Mauricio Pochettino will be calling for his side to build on that result. In a real battle to once again secure a top four finish in the Premier League, Spurs booked their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League after coming past Bundesliga heavyweights Borrusia Dortmund last month. If the Lilywhites are to gain an early advantage in just their second time in the last eight, the Pochettino will know that his side must improve on their recent performances against Manchester City. Suffering a 1-0 loss the last time the two sides met back in October, Tottenham have lost their last three matches against the Sky Blues and have not beaten the defending Premier League champions since 2016. One man fans in North London will be looking to lead their charge on Tuesday night will be leading goalscorer, Harry Kane. Already bagging 24 goals across all competitions, the England skipper has been involved in 17 goals in 17 Champions League appearances, scoring four and assisting three.
Team News
Spurs will be without Eric Dier, Erik Lamela and Serge Aurier.
Dier (hip), Lamela and Aurier (both hamstring) all trained alone the day before the game as they continue their rehabilitation.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, coming off the back of a 1-0 win over Brighton at Wembley last weekend and booking their spot in the final of this year’s FA Cup, fans around the Etihad are still dreaming of a historic quadruple-winning campaign. With a game in hand and sat just a single point behind Liverpool in the race to defend their Premier League crown, the Sky Blues are currently enjoying a 14-match winning run, a run that stems all the way back to the 29th of January. Booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to a 10-2 aggregate win over Schalke, Pep Guardiola will be growing more impressed by his sides defensive resolve. Along with holding the best-attacking stats across Europe’s top tiers, City have now kept three clean sheets on the bounce and have conceded just one goal in their last seven matches against Premier League opposition. While Spurs have one attacking talisman enjoying a purple patch, the visitors will be looking for the red-hot Sergio Aguero to lead their charge. Expected to return from injury for their trip to the capital in midweek, the 30-year-old has 29 goals this season, including five in this year’s tournament.
Team News
Sergio Aguero has handed Manchester City a fitness boost ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Tottenham.
Aguero has not played since he went off injured during the 2-0 victory against Fulham last month but he is now back in training.
Full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy should also be available at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Key Factors to Consider-
- Tottenham have lost their last three meetings against Manchester City by an aggregate score of 8-2.
- Pep Guardiola’s side are enjoying a 14-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
- Harry Kane has been involved in 17 goals in 17 Champions League appearances, scoring four and assisting three.
- Sergio Aguero has 29 goals across all competitions this season.
- Guardiola has won 26 of his 52 Champions League knockout matches, just one behind the all-time record held jointly by Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti (27 wins).
Conclusion
While Tottenham will be looking to continue the morale at their new stadium they certainly face a stern test on Tuesday. Given City’s scintillating form at the back end of the campaign, coupled with their recent success against Pochettino’s side, we’re backing Pep Guardiola’s side to come away with an early advantage in midweek.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
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