Tottenham Hotspur v Man City – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Man City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening in the Premier League. Tottenham are on the longest current unbeaten run in the league whilst City have been uncharacteristically goal-shy of late. As Mourinho and Guardiola face off for the 25th time in their careers, who will show themselves as one of the main title contenders to Liverpool?

Spurs Form

After ending last season on a six game unbeaten run in the Premier League, Spurs lost their opener this season to Everton. Since then, Tottenham have looked like a Mourinho team ™ and have won five and drawn two of their seven matches since. Considering both of those draws came after equalisers deep into injury time, this team is not far off an unlikely title challenge.

The first four of those games saw seven goals conceded but Spurs have since tightened up with two clean sheets in their last three. In the Europa League, they have tended to rest a plethora of players – Mourinho now has a massive and deep squad – so those results are not particularly relevant to league form.

Spurs Team News

Mourinho had a frustrating international break as Matt Doherty tested positive for Covid-19 and Heung-min Son had to self-isolate after five South Korea teammates tested positive too. He is available for this game though after returning to London early.

Erik Lamela, Japhet Tanganga, Steven Bergwijn and Tanguy Ndombele are all doubtful and Giovanni Lo Celso played in the early hours of Wednesday morning for Argentina in Peru. He had an outstanding game and should be recovered from travelling in time to play.

Spurs Motivation

Mourinho is famed for his defensive outlook in the big games and he will almost certainly set up in a low block and allow Man City to have the ball in this match. The coach will look to counter-attack and win the game on the break but would probably be happy with a 0-0 draw from this sort of fixture, even at home.

Man City Form

Pep Guardiola’s side are nine games unbeaten in all competitions but are having trouble scoring in league matches as they have netted just five times in their last five in the Premier League. In their last five matches, City have drawn 1-1 on three occasions and have won two games 1-0. In their last match, Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead before Gabriel Jesus levelled matters for City as the scores ended level.

Man City Team News

Man City lost Nathan Ake to a hamstring injury on international duty but the two week break should give a chance for all of Fernandinho, Benjamin Mendy and Sergio Aguero to recover from injuries and return to contention.

Raheem Sterling has been carrying a shin injury but should be fit to feature. Gabriel Jesus played for Brazil in Uruguay in the early hours of Wednesday so may be carrying some fatigue, meaning Ferran Torres – scoring of a hattrick against Germany on Tuesday night – could be an option as a false nine.

Man City Motivation

City will play for the win here as they look to close the gap to the top of the table. Guardiola’s main plan is likely to revolve around protecting his side from the counter-attacking speed of Son and Gareth Bale. Expect to see inverted fullbacks used to cover the middle of the pitch.

Key Stats

Tottenham are on the longest unbeaten run in the PL – 7 matches

Spurs are chasing a 4th consecutive PL win for the first time since Feb 2019

Tottenham coach Mourinho has lost 10 times to Pep Guardiola, more than any other coach

Man City are 9 matches unbeaten (6W, 3D – all competitions)

City are six away matches unbeaten in the PL

Man City have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 5 PL matches

City have drawn 3 of their last 5 PL matches

Man City’s Gabriel Jesus has been involved in 11 goals in his last 11 matches in all competitions (8G, 3A). He has scored in his last three appearances for Man City

Prediction

This game could be any of the three results but the odds make a Tottenham draw no bet tip hard to resist considering their form and unbeaten run.