Pep Guardiola's side looking to bounce back from Goodison defeat
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Premier League 2016/17 21st January, 17:30 GMT Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Live Stream: Watch Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur live on BT Sport 1
Manchester City Team News & Preview
Manchester City were drubbed 4-0 last weekend by Everton, and they will look to bounce back against Tottenham at home. The Citizens have now conceded the most number of goals among the big six, but they have only lost once all season at home. Pep Guardiola has a job in his hands to lead his team into the Champions League places as their title pursuit is all but over. They trail league leaders Chelsea by ten points, a gap which could be too big to close. Ilkay Gündogan is a long-term absentee with injury, while Fernandinho’s suspension has also contributed to City’s lightweight midfield in recent games. The Brazilian is out until 5th February. January arrival Gabriel Jesus should be cleared to play and could have his first minutes in a City shirt.
Predicted Manchester City line-up (4-2-3-1): Bravo, Sagna, Otamendi, Stones, Clichy, Touré, Zabaleta, Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne, Agüero.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News & Preview
Tottenham are on a great run of form of late, having won their last six league games. They are the league’s most in-form side at the moment, but they have not won away at the other top six clubs this season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have the league’s meanest defence, having conceded only 14 goals all season. They have already beaten City this season and will hope to replicate last season’s double over the Sky Blues on Saturday. Spurs’ defensive lynchpin Jan Vertonghen injured his ankle ligaments in last weekend’s 4-0 win over West Brom, and his absence will be keenly felt. Érik Lamela is a long-term absentee through injury.
Predicted Tottenham Hotspur line-up (3-4-2-1): Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Davies, Walker, Wanyama, Dembele, Rose, Eriksen, Alli, Kane.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Key Stats
Spurs have won their last three Premier League matches vs Man City; they last won four in a row against them in May 2010. Manchester City have won five of their last six home Premier League matches vs Tottenham Hotspur, but only Chelsea (7) have won more Premier League away matches at the Etihad Stadium than Spurs (6). For Spurs, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Christian Eriksen have scored a combined 15 goals in the last six games. Claudio Bravo has made the second lowest number of saves per 90 minutes in the league this season for a regular goalkeeper, behind Southampton’s Fraser Forster.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Betting Tips
Spurs have conceded only five open play goals all season. But, with Vertonghen out, expect them to be leakier than they have been all season. However, bets on a low-scoring game - three goals or under - should pay dividends. Sergio Agüero is City’s top scorer but hasn’t scored against a top six club this season. His scoring record against Spurs is exemplary, having netted 10 times previously against the Lilywhites. Bet on the Argentine to find the net on Saturday.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Prediction
Spurs’ away record hasn’t been top-notch this season, but with the kind of form City are in, it will be no surprise should they pick the Sky Blues off. City at home are always a difficult proposition, hence this should be a close game decided by a single goal. Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur