Prediction: Manchester City vs Tottenham

Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their remarkable winning run, Manchester City will welcome Tottenham to an empty Etihad on Saturday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, booking their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s FA Cup in midweek thanks to a 3-1 win away at Championship outfit Swansea, the mood in Manchester City’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Continuing to build on the slip-ups around them, Pep Guardiola’s side now find themselves sat in pole position to reclaim their Premier League crown this season. With a Champions League knockout tie against Borussia Mönchengladbach fast approaching, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his side embark on a remarkable winning run. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer at the top of the table, the Sky Blues are in the midst of a glittering 15-match winning run across all formats, a run that stems all the way back to the middle of December. Looking to lay down another marker this weekend, it could be well worth keeping an eye out for Raheem Sterling on Saturday evening. Once again finding the net on FA Cup duties in midweek, the England international has got himself on the scoresheet in his last four appearances on the spin.

Team News

Manchester City will once again be without the duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero this weekend.

The Sky Blues are also left sweating over the availability of Fernandinho, Rodri and Ruben Dias on Saturday evening.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, while the mood in Manchester City’s camp might be at a continued high, the same cannot be said for a Tottenham side in the midst of a real struggle. Eventually crashing out of the FA Cup thanks to that famous 5-4 defeat away at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, it appears that the pressure is still firmly on Jose Mourinho’s shoulders. While the former Manchester United boss might have seen his side shock many as they landed that 2-0 win against Manchester City in the capital back in November, Spurs have since continued to freefall down the table. Opening their trip to the Etihad this weekend sat way down in eighth, the Lilywhites have lost four of their last five matchups across all formats. With their recent issues highlighted by that shock 1-0 loss away at Brighton when drawing a close to January, there is no doubt that the struggling Londoners face another tough test when they travel North this weekend.

Team News

After missing their FA Cup defeat in midweek, Gareth Bale should once again be missing at the Etihad this weekend.

Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon are also set to miss out on Saturday evening.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including that 5-4 defeat away at Goodison Park earlier in the week, Tottenham have lost four of their last five matchups across all formats.
• On the flip side, Manchester City find themselves enjoying a glittering 15-match winning run that stems back to the middle of December.
• England international Raheem Sterling has found the net in his last four appearances on the spin.
• Tottenham have collected just three points from their last four Premier League contests.
• Manchester City have bagged themselves at least a pair of goals in six of their last seven matchups.

Conclusion

While Tottenham might have landed that shock 2-0 win when the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture, Spurs certainly face an overwhelming test on paper this weekend. Hit with that stunning 5-4 loss away at Everton in midweek and losing four of their last five matchups across all formats, a high-flying Manchester City should be looking to lay down another marker. Extending their buffer at the top of the table to five points and enjoying a glittering 15-match winning run, Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers should be smelling a golden chance on home soil. With the likes of England international Raheem Sterling spearheading their domestic purple patch, we’re backing a home victory for the Sky Blues this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet