*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
Pep Guardiola's side go into the game as favourites to claim all three points, despite a disappointing week that saw their their Champions League elimination followed by a 2-0 home defeat to league leaders Liverpool.
Team Objectives
The two teams have completely different goals as the season draws to a close, with Spurs aiming to climb into the top half of the table, while Manchester City are targeting a spot in the Champions League next season.
Tottenham have finally strung together three consecutive wins for the first time this season, climbing to12th in the Premier League., but with just 33 points, they have no serious hopes of reaching the European spots, as there’s a 10-point gap to the top six.
Last weekend, Spurs traveled to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town, whey avenged November's 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture by scoring four goals from six shots, ending with a 4-1 victory.
Tottenham's Attack and Injury Concerns
Tottenham has one of the league's most dangerous attacks, averaging two goals per match, with only Liverpool finding the net more often. James Maddison and Brennan Johnson lead the scoring charts with nine goals each, the latter having returned from injury recently to bag a brace against Ipswich.
However, Spurs' defence remains a significant concern, with key players like Cristian Romero, Radu Drăgușin, and Micky van de Ven unavailable. New signing Kevin Danso, on loan from Lens, has been thrown straight into the action with little time to settle in.
Team captain Heung-Min Son is enduring one of his toughest seasons at Spurs, and although he provided two assists in the last match, he hasn't found the net himself in over a month, when scoring in the Europa League match against Hoffenheim.
Recent performances, especially after their elimination from the League Cup, have led to discussions about Ange Postecoglou’s future. Despite the pressure, the Australian manager still has the backing of club chairman Daniel Levy, though his position could be in jeopardy come summer.
Tottenham are still alive in the Europa League, where they are among the favourites to lift the trophy. They’ll face AZ Alkmaar in the round of 16, with the first leg scheduled for next week in the Netherlands.
Injuries: Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, and Radu Drăgușin.
Manchester City’s Struggles
Manchester City endured a tough February, suffering four defeats across all competitions, a feat they also faced earlier in the season in November and December. Their only remaining hope for silverware this season lies in the FA Cup, where they have advanced to the round of 16.
Tottenham and Manchester City have faced each other 55 times in the Premier League, with Spurs leading the head-to-head 29-18, while 8 encounters have ended in draws.
Managers Ange Postecoglou and Pep Guardiola have faced off five times, with both managers winning twice and drawing once.
In the Premier League, City are currently in fourth place on 44 points from 26 matches. They are tied with Newcastle United and only three points behind third-place Nottingham Forest.
In their last outing, Manchester City suffered a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at home, despite dominating possession (66%) and creating over 15 chances. The absence of Erling Haaland was evident, and Kevin de Bruyne's performance was notably subpar before he was replaced.
Manchester City’s Injury Woes
City’s squad depth has been tested this season, with only two summer signings before the winter window saw a flurry of activity, adding four players for a total of over €200 million. The team’s form has improved since, but their domestic form in the league has been inconsistent, with Pep Guardiola's men winning only 50% of their games (13 wins, 5 draws, 8 losses).
Erling Haaland remains City's top scorer, with 27 goals and 3 assists across all competitions, but a recent injury has sidelined him for the crucial matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Other injury concerns include Rodri, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones, while Haaland’s availability for this match remains uncertain.
Betting Suggestions:
- Over 2.5 goals: With both teams known for their attacking prowess, particularly Tottenham's recent form and City's offensive capabilities, Over 2.5 goals could be a solid bet for this match.
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS):Tottenham have been scoring consistently, and despite City’s struggles, they usually find the back of the net, so Both teams to score seems like a likely outcome.
- First Goalscorer: If Haaland plays, then he remians the obvious choice if City are on song.
- Double Chance - Tottenham or Draw: With Tottenham's unpredictable form, this might be an interesting option for more cautious bettors.