Our tipster expects Man City to be fired up for their Premier League clash with Spurs after their midweek thriller...
Recommended bets
1pt Time of first Man City goal - 0-10 minutes at 21/5
1pt Time of first Man City goal - 11-20 minutes at 17/4
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Manchester City v Tottenham
- Etihad Stadium, 1230 BST kick-off on Sky Sports Main Event
What a match that was on Wednesday night.
The Champions League meeting between Man City and Spurs had everything you could wish for from a quarter-final second leg: early goals (a record for the competition), late drama, VAR controversy and a frenetic pace for the duration.
You could not take your eyes off it and, when everyone expected Spurs to crumble after conceding early, Mauricio Pochettino's men battled back three times to advance to the semis on away goals.
That is some achievement against this Man City side, never mind the fact the Argentinian did not spend a penny or make any additions to his squad last summer.
Their last four meeting with Ajax is something to look forward to, but first they must quickly turn their attentions to Saturday's early kick-off in the Premier League.
After a difficult European encounter, they do not come much tougher than Man City away a few days later. Let alone after playing the Citizens in that Wednesday clash.
Spurs sit third in the league and are on course to qualify for the Champions League, while City can put all their energy into the Premier League title race before thinking about the FA Cup final in May.
Their quadruple hopes may be over, but the treble is well and truly on. Their clash with Spurs and Wednesday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the title race.
Betting guide
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Spurs (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
It will by no means live up to Wednesday's thriller, but City now have one less competition to worry about and can keep their Premier League title charge on track. Pep Guardiola's side will be fired up for revenge and can deliver a blow to Tottenham's top four hopes.
Best bet: Man City to score in opening 10 minutes at 21/5
A big call in the hope that the hosts will not be too leggy, but worth the gamble at this price. Pep Guardiola is a good man-manager and will be determined to see his men bounce back. They are quick starters, opening the scoring in midweek inside four minutes and in the opening 10 minutes in two of their last three Premier League games - and the other game was after just 10 minutes. This season they have scored in the opening quarter of an hour an impressive 24 times. Spurs could be forgiven for a laboured start and a slightly rotated City can punish them and set the tone for this game. With the 11-20 minute period at 17/4, we are going for small stakes on each with a nice profit should either land.
Stats: Bernardo Silva & Lucas Moura 1+ shots on target each at 3/1
A player stats bet which caught the eye for value. It is slightly risky with Bernardo due to Guardiola's rotation but the Portuguese playmaker has been one of City's top performers this season and he could get the nod here. The 24-year-old has six goals and seven assists to his name in the Premier League, averaging just under two shots per game. With his advanced midfield role and the majority of possession you would expect City to have, he can at least register a shot on target. Spurs' Lucas, meanwhile, scored a hat-trick in his last league outing and will need to step up again in Harry Kane's absence. He has had eight shots in his last three league appearances and his energy could be key for Tottenham, so the price for both these players to have one each is very much appealing.
RequestABet: Over 1.5 total goals in the first half, City to win and Bernardo Silva to score at 6/1
Opta stats
- Manchester City have won each of their last three Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur, the Citizens are looking to equal their competition best run of four successive wins versus Spurs.
- Tottenham have only won one of their last eight visits to the Etihad (W1 D1 L6), conceding 23 goals in this period (2.9 per game).
- Tottenham are looking to become the first team since Liverpool in 2008-09 to win away in the Premier League against both Manchester clubs in the same season.
- None of Manchester City’s last 25 Premier League games have ended level, the longest current run in the competition. The Citizens have won 21 of those 25 games (L4), including each of the last nine.
- No side has won more points in Premier League games between the ‘big six’ this season than Man City (19), while only Manchester United (6) have won fewer points than Spurs (7).
- Tottenham have lost each of their last four away league games, conceding two goals each time. They last lost more in row on the road in the top-flight between March-May 2004 under David Pleat (6).
- Mauricio Pochettino has only tasted victory in one of his five Premier League trips to the Etihad (W1 D1 L3), a 2-1 win in February 2016 against Manuel Pellegrini’s Man City.
- Man City striker Sergio Aguero has failed to score in each of his last six Premier League appearances against Tottenham after scoring 10 in his first seven.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 19 Premier League goals for Man City this season – one more will see him become just the second player to score 20+ Premier League goals in five consecutive campaigns, after Thierry Henry (between 2001-02 and 2005-06).
- Tottenham have won all five of their Premier League games without Harry Kane this season. They last lost without the England striker taking part against Man Utd back in October 2017.
Odds correct as of 1330 BST on 18/04/19
