James Mason’s selections for Saturday’s big Premier League clash include Spurs to open the scoring with an in-form forward to find the net.
Manchester City are in unprecedented territory, having lost four games in a row under Pep Guardiola for the first time, and they need a big response to get their title bid back on track.
The Citizens return to Premier League action against one of the teams that beat them during this losing run, Tottenham, who are struggling with consistency themselves after losing 2-1 to Ipswich before the international break.
Best bets
Tottenham to score first
15/8
Brennan Johnson to score at any time
3/1
James Maddison to be shown a card
23/10
Spurs could make quick start
Tottenham have been something of a bogey team for Manchester City in recent years, as proven by their 2-1 EFL Cup win over these opponents last month.
Spurs tend to start fast against the Citizens, they have netted the opening goal in six of the last eight head-to-heads between the two and they could be the value selection to repeat the trick here.
City have conceded first in five of their 11 league games this season, which is not typical of Guardiola’s side.
Without Rodri they have been too open on the counter and their injuries in defence have made them vulnerable, particularly early in a game.
They have been fortunate that they remain just five points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table considering the slow start that they have made to the new campaign.
Tottenham will take heart from their win over these opponents just last month and can be quick out of the traps here. They look like the value selection to open the scoring.
Johnson a danger man
Brennan Johnson attracted some criticism at the start of the season but his positioning alone means that he gives himself plenty of opportunities to score goals.
The Wales international already has seven in all competitions this season and his standard goal is a close-range finish from a cut back.
City have looked particularly susceptible to that type of goal this season, with opponents often getting behind their full-backs and they may fall for it again here.
Take Johnson to find the net.
Maddison may attract referee’s attention
The suspension of Rodrigo Bentancur has left Tottenham short in the middle of the park and James Maddison may have to play a more defensive role than he is used to.
The former Leicester man has already been carded three times in all competitions this term and could pick up another as his side take on a City team that Spurs will have to do their fair share of defending against.
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