Tottenham vs. Manchester City Preview
Where: White Hart Lane – London, England
When: Sunday, October 2, 9:15 PM ET
Line: Tottenham +220 vs. Manchester City +110, tie +210 ; total 3.0 – view all EPL soccer lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
Writer’s Pick: Draw (+210)
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Betting on Tottenham Hotspur (+220)
Even without talismanic striker Harry Kane, Tottenham will pose a big test to Manchester City’s 100 percent Premier League record. Spurs have won back-to-back road games – 2-1 against Middlesbrough, and 1-0 to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League midweek – since losing their leading scorer.
Son Heung-Min has been in sizzling hot form ever since the international break, and is more than making up for Kane’s loss. The South Korean has scored five goals in his last five games – all starts – including all three goals in their wins over Boro and CSKA.
Tottenham’s defense remains one of the toughest in the league. They’ve given up just three goals in six matches – the fewest in the EPL thus far – and only one in three games at home. That backline will face its stiffest test to date with Man City’s free-scoring attack, but they should like their chances of slowing the leaders down.
For one, Kevin De Bruyne, arguably City’s most influential attacking player this season, is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury. City could also be a bit leggy after a tougher-than-expected battle against Celtic in midweek.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is a tactically astute manager, one who likes to utilize the press on his opponents. As Celtic showed in midweek, Pep Guardiola teams have historically had trouble facing teams which press them hard and prevent them from getting settled on the ball. Poch will surely take note of Celtic’s success, and tailor his gameplan accordingly.
Betting on Manchester City (+110)
Guardiola’s 10-match winning run to start his Manchester City reign finally came to an end with a 3-3 draw against Celtic in the Champions League. Credit must go to the Citizens for coming from behind three times, but their long-standing defensive concerns finally came to life with the most goals they’ve conceded in a single game under Pep.
There’s no need to start panicking about City, though. After all, they still have a perfect 6-0-0 record in the league, and are four points clear of second-place Spurs.
The City attack remains very fearsome. Although they lost De Bruyne for a few weeks, they do have Sergio Aguero back from suspension. Kun immediately scored two goals upon his return to the side to lead City to a 3-1 away win at Swansea last weekend. Raheem Sterling and Nolito also continued their fine form this season with goals in midweek.
No one has yet been able to solve Guardiola’s latest attacking juggernaut, which is the overwhelming -160 favorite for the title. City have scored three goals in each of their last four Premier League and Champions League matches, and at least two goals in all six league games.
Earlier this season, Tottenham visibly struggled at home against a Liverpool side which possessed a lot of speed and movement in attack. Even without De Bruyne, City still has a lot of those qualities, enough to break down a typically resolute Spurs defense.
Writer’s Prediction
The Champions League takes something out of City, and Tottenham is able to take advantage by holding the leaders to a 1-1 draw (+210).
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