Prediction: Tottenham vs Manchester City

August 13th 2010

After breaking the Big 4 last season, this game will offer Tottenham the perfect chance to prove everyone their success was no accident and that they can do it all over again. Manchester City, on the other hand, are the perfect proof money can’t buy you titles, although a win at White Hart Lane would be just the start they need to stake their claim for the top 4 finish.

Even though Tottenham were seen as outsiders in the top 4 race last term, they managed to defy all soccer predictions and clinched the Champions League berth that had narrowly escaped them just few years back. Spurs still have that last obstacle called Young Boys to skip before earning the chance to fight with the big guns, but there is no doubt the players’ focus will be solely on this match. Harry Redknapp thought the best approach for the new season was to make absolutely no changes to the squad, if we disregard Brazilian Sandro, who will arrive at the end of August. Spurs have shown pretty good form in pre-season, beating sides like Benfica, Fiorentina and New York Red Bulls, although the heavy defeat to Villarreal was probably quickly forgotten. The hosts are missing Bentley, O’Hara and Woodgate through injury, but Gareth Bale and Ledley King should be fit to play.

It was precisely the defeat to Tottenham that ended City’s dreams of Champios League football and the Citizens will be clearly looking to get revenge on their rivals. After what can be described as another disappointing season, Roberto Mancini has got a tough job on his hands despite signing several world-class players. Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov should all start at White Hart Lane but they will need play much better than in pre-season if City are to get something out of this match. Roberto Mancini’s side lost four of the five warm-up games and that clearly shows this team will need some time to gel. The visitors have no injury problems but Robinho, Bellamy and new signing Mario Balotelli are definitely out of the squad.

Conclusion

To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with Tottenham last season even though they have achieved quite a success and Harry Redknapp’s decision not to sign any new players came as a shock to me. City are clearly not where they want to be at the moment but the individual quality of players like Tevez, Silva and Toure can turn the game in an instant and we could definitely see the two evenly matched sides sharing spoils in the Premiership opener.

Verdict: Draw (X)

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: Titan Bet