Prediction: Manchester City vs Tottenham

Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on what has become a stellar run of form, runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City will welcome Tottenham to the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, putting down a real Champions League marker earlier in the week, there is no doubt that the mood in Manchester City’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Storming their way to an eye-catching 5-0 romp away at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola’s heavyweights appear to be cruising their way to another Premier League crown. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding nine-point buffer over the chasing pack, the Sky Blues will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. In fact, despite heading into the brief winter break last month with a 1-1 draw against Southampton on the road, the former Bayern Munich boss has not seen his side lose a single domestic fixture since the end of October. Simply hoping to extend their buffer at the top of the table to double digits once again, Saturday’s hosts will be hoping to cash in on a Spurs side that find themselves in the midst of a real struggle.

Team News

Once again finding the net against Sporting Lisbon in midweek, England international Raheem Sterling should once again join Phil Foden in attack.

However, Manchester City will once again be without the injured duo of Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus at the Etihad here.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, while Tottenham fans might have been overjoyed to have seen Antonio Conte come through the doors back in November, Spurs find themselves in the midst of a real struggle. Putting in another woeful display last weekend and hit with a deserved 2-0 loss at home against Wolves, the former Inter Milan boss has seen his side lose each of their last three Premier League outings on the spin. In fact, the Lilywhites’ recent rut is Conte’s worst managerial blip in over a decade. Throwing away the lead in a shocking fashion earlier in the month thanks to that action-packed 3-2 defeat against Southampton, Saturday’s guests have also continued to show a host of struggles at the back. It should be highlighted, Conte’s new squad have failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their last eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to New Year’s Day. In the midst of a real north London nightmare, Tottenham should be bracing themselves for a stern test here.

Team News

Suffering three Premier League defeats on the spin, the likes of Sergio Reguilon, Emerson Royal and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will all be hoping for a recall here.

However, Tottenham look set to once again be without the trio of Eric Dier, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga due to injury issues this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Saturday’s opponents faced off for their reverse meeting on August 15th, Tottenham picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• However, Spurs have failed to win any of their last six straight trips to the Etihad across all formats.
• Tottenham have lost each of their last three Premier League matchups on the spin, a run which is Antonio Conte’s worst managerial stint in over a decade.
• Manchester City are unbeaten on domestic duties since the end of October.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues have also won each of their last 10 straight home fixtures across all formats.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a 5-0 romp away at Sporting Lisbon earlier in the week, there is no doubt that Manchester City will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Appearing to breeze their way to another Premier League crown this season, Saturday’s hosts have only continued on quite the purple patch. Gaining a reputation for their success on home soil and winning each of their previous 10 fixtures at the Etihad, a struggling Spurs should be bracing themselves for a stern test this weekend. Last seen getting hit with a deserved 2-0 loss against Wolves on home soil, Tottenham have in fact lost their last three Premier League outings on the spin. Given the huge recent gulf in class, we’re backing what should be a routine home victory for Guardiola’s men.

Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Unibet