Following surprise defeats for both clubs before the international break, Manchester City and Tottenham square up in the standout fixture in the Premier League this weekend.
The Citizens will welcome Spurs to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (kick-off, 5.30pm) off the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions – the first time that has happened in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.
City were beaten 2-1 by Brighton last time out, while Tottenham lost by the same scoreline to Ipswich Town in north London, so both teams will be after redemption on Saturday.
Man City vs Tottenham betting tips
Get Man City to win, both teams to score & Brennan Johnson to score at 9/1 (boosted from 7/1)
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Citizens can return to winning ways
For the first time in his illustrious managerial career, Guardiola has lost four games on the spin and City trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by five points ahead of this weekend’s matches.
It would be foolish to ever discount City in a title race until it is mathematically impossible for them to triumph but they can surely not afford many more slip-ups given the relentless nature of Arne Slot’s Reds.
But it is worth noting that all four of their recent losses against Spurs, Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton came on the road and they are a different beast at the Etihad Stadium.
Indeed, City are on an eye-watering 52-game unbeaten run at their home venue in all competitions and they have not lost any of their last 35 games there in the Premier League.
They have collected 13 points from their five home fixtures and Guardiola’s side can avenge their recent EFL Cup defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.
In that cup loss, City fielded a slightly weakened team with Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee starting in midfield and Erling Haaland was an unused substitute.
But this weekend they could be at their strongest in some time with a handful of players including Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake pushing for returns after being involved in training.
City will also be buoyed by the off-field news that Guardiola has extended his contract at the club and a win should be on the cards for them.
That said, their defence has been more porous than in recent seasons and they have conceded in nine of their 11 league fixtures, so Tottenham can get on the scoresheet in defeat.
Johnson could net at the Etihad
Those in agreement with the wager on Man City to win and both teams to score should look at the Tottenham goalscorer market which could offer some value.
The obvious candidate to find the net is Dominic Solanke but at a bigger price, punters should take a chance on the impressive Brennan Johnson.
Johnson has scored the same number of Premier League goals as Solanke with four and his minutes-per-goal figure of 218 is only marginally bigger than Solanke’s at 200.
But Johnson has also racked up more shots (33) than any other Tottenham player in the Premier League this season and that eagerness to strike could be key in a game where Spurs may not see long spells of possession.
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