Premier League preview: Spurs vs Man City
Depending on how Villa fare during Monday night’s encounter with Liverpool, Tottenham still have some hope of finishing in the top four.
Does the allure of Champions League football next season outweigh the misery of aiding Arsenal in their quest for Premier League glory?
If Ange Postecoglou’s side do win on Tuesday, they’ll potentially prevent Man City from winning the title. And in doing so, they could be handing that title to their most loathed rivals instead.
Even leaving aside the (for Spurs fans) stomach-churning prospect of helping their north London rivals to glory, the likelihood that Tottenham can stop City in such a crucial game seems questionable.
Spurs did win last time out, against Burnley. That 2-1 victory ended a four-match losing streak, though. Tottenham’s only three wins in their last eight games have come against Luton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley.
Two of those sides are about to be relegated; the other has done just about enough to survive the season in the top flight.
It’s true that Spurs have a fine record against City, winning their last four home games in the Prem against Pep Guardiola’s side. Under Postecoglou, Tottenham have taken a point from City at the Etihad too, in a 3-3 thriller back in December.
Does that impressive history mean we should expect the hosts to frustrate and even outclass the Citizens? I’d be sceptical; with so much riding on this, it’s hard not to see the visitors stepping up to the required level.
City themselves have won their last seven matches, and haven’t lost a league game since Aston Villa beat them 1-0 in December. They haven’t even conceded a goal in their last three away games, against Fulham, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
And what of that Arsenal shirt-wearing elephant in the room? Postecoglou is adamant it’s not a concern for him. “We’ve got a game we want to win. Anything else in between, bragging rights, whatever it is, is absolutely meaningless to me or anyone involved with me.”
That’s good for Arsenal. But we have to reiterate – Spurs have lost four of their last five games, and City are currently steamrollering whatever opposition is put in front of them.
So – what’s the bet? Combining over 3.5 goals and BTTS YES at 49/50 sounds like it could pay off; whatever their problems, Spurs do score at home. Meanwhile, three of City’s last four league games have seen four or more goals scored.
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