Spurs seeking change of fortunes in latest Manchester City clash
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Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham have endured an indifferent start to their Premier League campaign, and the Londoners must now face leaders Manchester City, a side they have lost to in the last four domestic meetings.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues are sitting pretty at the summit of the top flight table at this early stage, losing only once so far and will be confident of edging further ahead, having been toppled by Spurs just once in 10 previous encounters.
Sergio Aguero has been key to recent success against the Londoners, with eight strikes in those four successive victories over Spurs, including four-goal haul last season, and the deadly Argentine is 5/2 with Coral to fire City to three points again (max stake £20).
The visitors are the odds-on 10/11 favourites to inflict home misery on Tottenham, while the hosts are 14/5 to recover from a recent League Cup defeat to London rivals Arsenal and secure only their second domestic win at White Hart Lane this term.
Pellegrini’s league leaders were humbled on home turf by West Ham United last time out in the Premier League, but recovered with a smooth 4-1 victory over Sunderland in midweek, and midfield Yaya Toure is targeting a further resurgence.
“We have a tough game coming against Tottenham and we needed this relief, and confidence coming back,” Toure stated after the win at the Stadium of Light.
“City or even Chelsea, Arsenal, when they start losing or have a bad spell you get a lot of criticism.
“But we have experience in the squad – players like Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and me – and we try to give the other guys confidence in these situations.
“We have big experienced players who hate losing because we have experience at the high level, and we just try to stay calm and restore confidence for the next game.”
Toure’s teammates David Silva, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri and skipper Vincent Kompany all missed the trip to Wearside, and could once again be unavailable for Pellegrini in London. Meanwhile, Spurs have no major worries, with Nabil Bentaleb the most notable absentee and Ryan Mason still a doubt.
Last season Tottenham’s Harry Kane couldn’t stop scoring, but this term the England international frontman has endured a goal-drought, but he is 15/8 to break his domestic duck anytime on home soil.
Son Heung-Min has been a revelation for Pochettino since his arrival this summer and could be the decisive factor in Tottenham overturning their baron run in this fixture, with the South Korean 8/1 to open proceedings, after doing so in the win over Crystal Palace.
Betting tip: Sergio Aguero to score and Man City to win @ 5/2 with a £20 max stake
