Verdict: Tijjani Reijnders over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown from the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime, Manchester City will host Tottenham.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, eventually forced to settle for a bronze medal finish among England’s elite last season, Manchester City have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders this time around. Finishing the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, Pep Guardiola’s men also broke a string of unwanted records. However, getting proceedings underway with a sensational performance last weekend as they cruised their way to a 4-0 romp away at Wolves, the former Barcelona boss will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Despite their issues on the road last season, the Sky Blues did continue to shine in front of their own supporters. In fact, Man City won all of their final five Premier League showdowns at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 13-4.
Manchester City Team News
All missing out away at Wolves last weekend, Manchester City are once again expected to be without the trio of Mateo Kovacic, Savinho and midfield talisman Rodri here. However, returning to the Etihad this summer following a permanent switch from Burnley, James Trafford will start between the sticks on Saturday lunchtime.
Opening his Premier League brace in the Midlands last week, Erling Haaland will play a leading role in the final third. Making an immediate impact on his English debut, new recruit and former AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders will start in the middle of the park.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, while Tottenham might have ended their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware back in May as Ange Postecoglou guided Spurs to Europa League success, that result was not enough to save the former Celtic boss from the chop. Getting a new era underway over the summer following Thomas Frank’s arrival, the Lilywhites came flying out of the traps last weekend. Landing what was a routine 3-0 romp at home against Premier League returners Burnley, the ex-Brentford manager should be relishing a heavyweight test here. Despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender in Manchester, Tottenham will be excited by their most recent trip to the Etihad. In fact, Spurs claimed an iconic 4-0 victory when they travelled to the former Premier League champions back on November 23rd.
Tottenham Team News
All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Tottenham will travel to Manchester this weekend without the quartet of Bryan Gil, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie and Dejan Kulusevski. Likewise, England international James Maddison is expected to miss the majority of the 2025/26 campaign after underdog knee surgery.
Putting pen to paper on a new deal this month and officially appointed as Spurs’ new skipper, Cristian Romero will start at the heart of Frank’s defence. Notching a brace against Burnley last weekend, Brazilian striker Richarlison will keep his spot leading the line.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Key Factors to Consider
- When Tottenham last travelled to the Etihad back on November 23rd, the Lilywhites claimed an iconic 4-0 victory in the blue half of Manchester.
- Manchester City won their final five Premier League showdowns at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 13-4.
- Spurs’ 3-0 victory against Burnley last weekend was the first Premier League clean sheet they have recorded since the middle of February.
- Tottenham collected just one-point from any of their final six Premier League appearances outside of north London last season.
- Only one of the last five meetings between Manchester City and Tottenham have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Tottenham might have stormed their way to that iconic 4-0 romp when they last travelled to the Etihad back in November, Spurs will be bracing themselves for what is a far more stern examination on Saturday lunchtime. With the Lilywhites mustering just a single point from any of their final six Premier League showdowns outside of north London last season, they will also meet a Manchester City squad who come flying out of the traps last weekend. Watching Guardiola’s superstar squad win all of their final five top-flight matchups at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 13-4, City will be looking to lay down another marker here.
Verdict: Tijjani Reijnders over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Dachbet