Man City v Tottenham – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Man City face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley. Pep Guardiola is chasing a fourth consecutive League Cup success whilst Spurs’ last trophy came in this tournament in 2008. Tottenham have just sacked Jose Mourinho so rookie coach Ryan Mason will be in charge of this match.

Man City Form

City have been in outstanding form for several months. They have won 33 of their last 39 matches but have lost two of their last four as Leeds won 2-1 at the Etihad and Chelsea took a 1-0 victory in the FA Cup semi-final.

After 23 clean sheets across 34 matches, City have now conceded in each of their last five. They reached the final after beating Burnley, Arsenal and Man Utd in the previous three rounds

Man City Team News

City have two injury doubts for this match as well as one suspension. Sergio Aguero has missed the last couple of games with a knock and Kevin De Bruyne is very doubtful to be fit for this final. After his red card against Aston Villa, John Stones will be suspended. Aymeric Laporte is expected to get the nod in place of Stones.

In attack, Guardiola has to decide whether Raheem Sterling has done enough of late to be selected but the likelihood is that Gabriel Jesus and the outstanding Phil Foden will be preferred to him.

Man City Motivation

Guardiola will have his side fully motivated for this match but there is a very short turnaround to facing PSG away in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. City players will want to avoid injuries and going to extra time in this one.

Expect the usual high possession match with City dominating and playing to win in 90 minutes. The side are not likely to overextend themselves and will try to rest with the ball and not try to ram home their advantage if 2-0 up.

Tottenham Form

Spurs’ poor form saw Jose Mourinho sacked on the eve of this match. Having had six defeats in seven domestic matches, Tottenham responded with five wins in a row with 15 goals scored thanks to some good fixtures. The last seven matches have seen some damaging results as Spurs lost 2-1 at Arsenal and 3-0 at Dinamo Zagreb to be knocked out of the Europa League.

Further terrible performances to draw 2-2 at Newcastle lose 3-1 to Man Utd put Mourinho on the brink. A 2-2 draw at Everton proved the final nail in the coffin as Spurs lost further ground in the top four race. Ryan Mason oversaw a 2-1 home victory over Southampton in his first match in charge.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs are still without two fullback options as Matt Doherty and Ben Davies nurse injuries. Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon will start. Eric Dier is expected to play at centre back in preference to Davinson Sanchez.

The big question mark is over talisman and captain Harry Kane, who is doubtful with an ankle problem. If he misses out, then Gareth Bale could play up front in his place. Ryan Mason didn’t give any minute to Dele Alli in his first match in charge and he appears to still be out of favour.

Tottenham Motivation

Spurs are hugely motivated to a 13-year trophy drought. The players are said to be happier after the departure of Mourinho and his abrasive style.

Tottenham know they can’t compete with Man City in possession terms so will be forced to play quite defensively. However, they’re not expected to absolutely park the bus as they would have done under their departed Portuguese coach.

Key Stats

City have lost just 3 of their last 39 matches (W33, D3)

City have won their last 17 of their 18 away matches

Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches

Spurs have won 2 of their last 7 matches (L3, D2)

Tottenham have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 7 matches

Spurs have lost 7 of their last 11 matches against Man City

Prediction

Man City are favourites for this match. Spurs are capable of an upset but if feels like they had a better chance had Mourinho remained in charge considering his record in cup finals. Should Harry Kane be absent then City would have a lot less to be concerned about.