Saturday 16th December 2017 Kickoff 1730 Manchester City v Tottenham Wanderers Football – England – Premier League It may be somewhat premature to suggest that the race of the Premier League title is already over before we even reach the new year, but you suspect it is going to take a monumental collapse from the current runaway leaders, Manchester City, for anybody to have a chance of closing in on them. Before the season started many felt that Tottenham would be capable of going one better than their second place finish last term but in truth, they have never looked like they would be able to find the consistency required to even reach that same position. Nevertheless, they are still able to turn in a big performance and will be looking to end City’s 15 game winning run in the league.
Wednesday’s 4-0 demolition away to Swansea was as impressive a performance you are likely to see in the Premier League this season. The ease at which they were able to slice through their opponents should be concerning for every other team in the division and especially as it came only four days after another massive result on the road – the 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The score line that day never illustrated just how big a gap there was between the two teams but it was further evidence of how this City team know how to win games. That’s been the biggest difference so far in this campaign, the ability to turn games they would have previously have drawn into three points and it’s testament to the mentality that Pep Guardiola has instilled within the squad. The manager was asked after the Swansea game if there was a chance complacency would set in now they have an 11 point lead and he was quick to dismiss the slightest thought – the scary thing for the other 19 managers is this is the time of year where you would most think they would struggle, and there’s absolutely no sign of it happening.
Big things were expected of Spurs having recorded their highest place finish in the Premier League last season, when finishing second. That expectation was tempered somewhat by the fact they were also having to contend with a move to playing all their home games at Wembley as their new stadium is being built. Unfortunately for Spurs’ supporters, that doubt has been well founded and they have not been able to reach the same level of performance often enough to be a live threat to City or the title. Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Brighton was more laboured than spectacular which has been the case with a lot of their winning matches in the league this season. Interestingly enough, it means they have now won two games in a row in the league for just the second time this campaign. That is an indication of how difficult they have found it so far but you do not doubt the quality that they possess and now they have crept back into the top four they will be looking to establish themselves there and pressure Untied and Chelsea, even if City look out their reach. With a last 16 draw against Juventus to come in the Champions League to look forward to they will be now able to concentrate on doing just that.
Manchester City v Tottenham Betting Tip
Manchester City look imperious just now and I personally cannot see anybody challenging them despite the amount of football there is left to play. That said, there will be plenty of teams who will feel they are able to trouble them and take advantage of their weaknesses, which they have a few. City also have the issue of having to juggle all four competitions they are entered in and that can sometimes see teams come unstuck. Spurs will be hoping that they are that team who can topple them after such a dominating spell which has seen them pull clear of everybody else. They will take great confidence from the fact that they have an excellent recent record over City, winning three of the last four league meetings having lost eight of the previous nine before that.
We have witnessed several good games recently between the top clubs, including the Manchester derby last Sunday. This game has the potential to be every bit as exciting and full of incident as any as Spurs – on their day – can rival any team in this league. With two straight wins in the league then the pressure on the players has lifted somewhat and they can play with a bit more freedom. City will be formidable, we know that, but they have conceded in five of their eight home games, albeit winning them all eventually. This game is likely to follow a similar theme where Spurs can find some joy but ultimately fall short of taking any points home with them.
Manchester City to win and both teams to score 9/5 @ William Hill
