Manchester City vs. Tottenham: Premier League betting odds, preview, and pick

League leaders Manchester City hope to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League when they host Tottenham Hotspur, a side in danger of losing ground on the top four. Antonio Conte’s side have suddenly found themselves on a three-game losing skid in the league and can’t afford to drop anymore points in the race for a Champions League spot.

City have been untouchable for the most part this season, however, and are unsurprisingly huge home favorites.

The definition of dominance

Manchester City were able to rest Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne, among others, as they swept past Norwich 4-0 last week, such is the strength in Pep Guardiola’s squad. It continues an incredible run from City in all competitions since the start of November that reads 18-1-1.

At home, the Citizens are nearly unstoppable, winning 15 of their 16 matches at the Etihad Stadium this season. They have won 10 on the spin at home in all competitions, scoring an average of 3.2 goals a game and conceding just 0.7. Pep’s men have kept clean sheets in 75% of their home league games this year as well. It is the definition of dominance.

The first goal is crucial in this game. City have taken the lead in 20 of their matches this season and have never been pegged back. An incredible statistic. They’ve either gone on to score again, or simply seen the game out 1-0. They’ve not conceded a single equalizing goal after finding the net first, so once they score it’s game over.

And finding the net isn’t a problem. Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, and Raheem Sterling all have at least six league goals each this year, with City’s array of attacking talent firing on all cylinders.

Tottenham in turmoil

Antonio Conte’s honeymoon period at Tottenham is well and truly over. He led Tottenham to a record of 6-0-3 in the league after taking the helm at the start of November and got their top four ambitions back on track.

However, it’s drastically fallen apart since the team returned from their winter break, as they’ve lost three games on the spin, averaging just 7.3 shots per game compared to their opponent’s 13.3. It’s a disaster for Spurs, who are now the outsiders in the three-way battle for the last remaining top-four spot with Arsenal and Manchester United.

Tottenham’s recent form looks even more concerning when you consider their form on the road. While they’ve averaged 1.83 points per game at home, that drops to 1.4 away. The performance across the field drops considerably, with their goals scored per game at home (1.5) dropping to 1.0 on the road, while goals conceded goes from 1.25 to 1.40 away from home.

Away from home to top-half sides this year, Tottenham’s record reads 1-3-1, with defeats to Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal already. They’ve conceded a total of seven goals across those five games and scored just three.

They’re in danger of spiraling out of control, and although they shocked Manchester City on the opening day of the season, winning 1-0, they haven’t won at the Etihad Stadium in the league since Valentine’s Day 2016.

Manchester City vs. Tottenham Betting Trends

• In the last 10 games between the two teams, both teams have scored just twice
• There have been Under 2.5 goals in seven of the last 10 matches between Man City and Tottenham
• Tottenham have failed to score in 40% of their away games in the league this season
• Manchester City are 7-1-2 at home against Spurs in the league in the last 10 games
• Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in 75% of their home league games this season
• There have been Under 2.5 goals in four of Tottenham’s last six league games
• There have been Under 2.5 goals in four of Man City’s last six league games

City can cause more trouble for Tottenham

Tottenham have conceded the first goal in 70% of their away games this season, and if they do so again at the Etihad Stadium, it’s game over. City were stunned by Spurs on the opening day of the season but won’t be as shell-shocked this weekend, especially not on home soil. Six of Tottenham’s eight defeats this season have been by two goals or more, and given City’s incredible defensive record at home, backing 2-0 at +550 looks a great play.

Sterling scored eight times in 10 games between November and December but had a very quiet January. He bounced back to form with a hat-trick against Norwich last week and is the player to go to for Same Game Combos.

Score prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Tottenham (+550)

Manchester City vs. Tottenham: Under 2.5 goals (+145)

Same Game Combo: Manchester City to win, Under 2.5 goals, Raheem Sterling to score a goal (+1000)