Verdict: Manchester City win and over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to reclaim their spot at the top of the Premier League table, Pep Guardiola’s defending champions will travel to Wembley on Monday night.
Tottenham
Starting with Monday’s hosts, while on paper this might be Tottenham’s best start to a Premier League campaign, Mauricio Pochetino’s side have shown signs of a struggle. Coming off the back of yet more lack heartbreak in their 2-2 draw away to PSV in midweek, the Lilywhites have failed to secure a win in their opening three Champions League matches and it now looks extremely unlikely they will be able to reach the knockout stage. Despite picking up a pair of 1-0 wins over West Ham and Cardiff in their last domestic outings, Pochetino will know that his men were far from at their best and could have easily came away empty handed. Sat two points adrift of Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish, the hosts also hold a woeful record against the defending champions. Losing both meetings against City last season, Spurs have lost 10 of the most recent 15 league clashes.
Team News
Dele Alli could be involved for Spurs against Manchester City after a four-match absence with a hamstring injury.
Defenders Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen remain unavailable.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, once again enjoying another stellar start to the new Premier League campaign, City have cemented their position as the leading contenders to defend their crown. Coming off the back of a very impressive showing in their 3-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, the Sky Blues are yet to be beaten in domestically this season and they have continued to shine in the final third. Despite having one match in hand, Pep Guardiola’s side already hold the best-attacking record in the division and have now scored eight in their last two outings. Rested in midweek, one man to watch for the visitors will be leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero. Finding the net in City’s 5-0 win over Burnley, the Argentinian international now has four in his last five. Along with carrying on their record-breaking form in front of goal, the former Barcelona boss will be most impressed by his sides recent defensive record. Yet to concede a goal in over their last 350 minutes of play, City could equal the club league record of six consecutive clean sheets, set from May to September 2015.
Team News
Manchester City are still without midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who has a hamstring injury, but Fabian Delph has recovered from a minor complaint.
Kyle Walker returned from a groin problem as a substitute at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, while Danilo could be fit after an ankle injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- Spurs have lost 10 of the most recent 15 league meetings, including both last season.
- Manchester City could win consecutive Premier League away fixtures against Spurs for the second time.
- This fixture has produced a Premier League-high 59 goals in 14 matches since the beginning of 2011-12.
- Since Pochettino took charge in 2014-15, only Arsenal have accumulated fewer points in games between the established top-six sides than the 54 earned by Spurs.
- Pep Guardiola has lost just two of his previous 13 managerial clashes with Mauricio Pochettino (W7, D4, L2) – and could win three in a row versus the Argentine for the first time.
Conclusion
With Tottenham once again coming off the back of Champions League heartbreak, coupled with the defending champions stellar record against the Lilywhites, we’re backing Manchester City to come away with another convincing win on Monday night.
Verdict: Manchester City win and over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
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