Man City can continue winning spree over Spurs on Sunday
AT FIRST glance Tottenham look a big price at 14/5 to see off a Manchester City side with nothing but pride left to play for in Sunday’s clash at White Hart Lane.
The dream of successive titles went a long time ago for City but, with Liverpool slipping up of late, Betway are not even offering a price on them finishing in the top four.
Manuel Pellegrini’s biggest challenge will be convincing the Etihad hierarchy that he is still the best man for the job – reeling off four straight wins may still not be enough to do that.
Spurs have won four of their last 10 matches, but three were against strugglers Queens Park Rangers, Leicester and Newcastle. And City have won seven of the last eight league meetings with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The last three encounters have seen City triumph 4-1, 5-1 and 6-0, so Sporting Index’s quote of total goals at 3.05-3.25 will appeal as a buy for many spread bettors.
Despite being well below last year’s league-winning form, City are still the division’s top scorers with 70 goals – 15 more than their weekend rivals. Sergio Aguero has hit 21 of those to lead the Golden Boot charts.
The Argentinian has seven in his last three appearances against Spurs, including a four-goal display in the corresponding fixture in October. His goal minutes are trading at 33 with Sporting Index, while Betway have him at 3/1 to net first.
I haven’t been convinced with either team and it’s a tricky game to try and decipher. Without the exploits of Harry Kane, Tottenham wouldn’t have had much to cheer about this campaign. Their home record in the league is just two points better than City’s away one.
Pellegrini looks a weak man-manager with a squad of players that don’t have the hunger to succeed – for him at least. A summer clear-out looks inevitable, but perhaps that will encourage the likes of Samir Nasri, Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko – all linked with exits – to put themselves in the shop window with improved performances.
The visitors to north London are evens to win and the draw is 13/5 with Betway. Sporting Index’s supremacy quote, trading at 0.35-0.55 in favour of City, looks the best bet though, considering the recent head-to-heads.
Only Liverpool in the current top-seven have scored less goals at home (29) than Tottenham and no team in the top eight has conceded more at home either (23). Spurs have also taken just eight points from their meetings with the top six sides this season.
■ Pointers…
Buy Man City supremacy at 0.55 with Sporting Index
Sergio Aguero to score first at 3/1 with Betway