It’s been a weekend of contrasting emotions for fans of these two sides. Manchester City fans saw their side torn apart on the counter attack and they conceded a goal with every single shot on target. Tottenham fans saw their side put in a thoroughly professional display, dominating the game and not even conceding a corner throughout the match. Putting these two sides together after these matches provide us with the opportunity to see not only if Manchester City can bounce back from disappointment but also to see if Tottenham can keep up their high standards in a game against a team knocking on the fringes of the top 4.
Of course, Spurs have already beaten Manchester City this season and recently added the scalp of Chelsea to their list of accomplishments but both of those games were played in the comfort of their home stadium and “big” matches away from home have not seen too many wins for the boys from White Hart Lane. Spurs lost at Manchester United and Chelsea, drew at the Emirates against Arsenal and had the same result against Everton at Goodison Park.
Man City haven’t helped themselves with their home form, though. They’ve dropped too many points at home and not always against teams at the top end of the table. Southampton and Middlesbrough have both taken a point away from Pep Guardiola and his side at the Etihad and neither of those are looking incredibly dangerous this season. In fact, City have been better away from home than they have been back at their stomping ground so perhaps home advantage won’t be too much of a help in this match.
Both managers have a headache to contend with in regards to team selection for this match. Vincent Kompany has spent much of this season on the sidelines but it’s clear that this City side needs him. Otamendi looked weak at times against Everton and John Stones made yet another error leading to a goal and with the pressure that Tottenham will exert, those two are not going to have an easy ride. Switching to 3 at the back could relieve some of that pressure and also allow Kompany to be eased back into the side. Aguero struggled against Everton and if Gabriel Jesus has seen his international clearance come through then he could be in line for a start although throwing the youngster straight in isn’t really Peps style.
Spurs are highly likely to be missing Jan Vertonghen. The results of the scan on his ankle aren’t known yet but it looked a nasty injury and I’d be surprised to see him back before March. Kevin Wimmer stepped in for Vertonghen last season but Ben Davies has played in the same position for Wales and was the one to come in when Vertonghen was substituted against West Brom. Personally, I think that Mauricio Pochettino will plump for Wimmer.
As a Spurs fan I know I’m biased. Believe me, I take that into account when weighing up my selections and often I avoid betting on Spurs games simply because I know I can favour “my” side or, perhaps worse, my own opinion can swing too far the other way and see me betting against them. There is more than a touch of the feel-good factor about Spurs right now and although I might be getting caught up in it I’m backing Spurs to pick up another win on the road.
Tottenham are in great form with 7 wins on the trot and a side that seem very comfortable with one another. Manchester City, frankly, do not give that feeling and with important players like Fernandinho and Gundogan missing it seems to be common sense to go for the away win. At odds of 3.6 with Bet365 things just get even better.
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