Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
After their epic Champions League clash in midweek, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur meet again in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime. It was Spurs who emerged victorious at the same ground in midweek, with the north Londoners earning a place in the Champions League semi-final on the away goals rule. Although they lost 4-3 on the night, the aggregate scoreline was 4-4, after Spurs took a 1-0 lead into the game from the first leg.
So City will be out for revenge this Saturday, as they look to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title. Pep Guardiola’s men are targeting a 10th consecutive Premier League win, while Spurs will want to keep their place in the top four with a third successive win.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Prediction: City 2-1 Spurs
Our prediction for this game is that City will win 2-1, and keep up the pressure on Liverpool. It is impossible to tell what effect the midweek Champions League exertions will have had on both teams, but City have a squad with greater depth than Spurs, and Guardiola may well rotate his players to introduce fresh legs, which could be key to the outcome.
Tottenham will be without Harry Kane again, with the England striker having damaged his left ankle in the first leg of the Champions League clash with City. His absence will certainly affect Spurs’ potency in attack.
Our recommended tip: City, both score
Our featured tip for this game comes courtesy of iconic British bookmaker William Hill. They are offering odds of 29/20 on City to win and both teams to score. We think that this is a good bet as it matches our prediction of a 2-1 home win while also giving you a degree of flexibility when it comes to the precise final scoreline. How much the midweek exertions have affected the sides remains to be seen, but we suspect that the Champions League tie will have taken more out of Spurs than City.
Previous matches
City have won their last three Premier League games against Spurs. Their Premier League best against Tottenham is a run of four consecutive victories. In total, the teams have met 43 times in total in the Premier League, with City winning 14 times and Spurs 23, and there have been six draws. Ten of Spurs’ wins have come away in Manchester, while City have won eight times at home against Tottenham.
The previous Premier League meeting this season was on October 29, and was won 1-0 by City. Riyad Mahrez scored the game’s only goal in the sixth minute.
Top 3 Premier League Bookies
Players to watch: Sergio Aguero & Fernando Llorente
Sergio Aguero is Manchester City’s top Premier League goal scorer this season, with 19 goals in 28 appearances to his credit in 2018/19. He scored City’s fourth goal in the Champions League clash against Spurs in midweek. He has also weighed in with seven Premier League assists this season, and has created five big chances for his team-mates in the competition. Of his goals, 10 have been scored with his right foot, six with his left foot and two with his head.
Spanish striker Fernando Llorente scored Spurs’ winning goal in the Champions League in midweek, with it being awarded after a VAR decision. Many observers felt that it should not have been allowed. Llorente is an important figure for Spurs in the absence of Harry Kane, and he could be crucial to their chances of victory on Saturday. He has just one Premier League goal to his credit this season, and four assists, in 16 games.
