It’s a massive game! It is a game filled with quality from both sides and one with all the makings of being an absolute cracker! But you already knew all of that…the real intrigue this time around is that Spurs come into the game with a positive feeling around the club. Antonio Conte has transformed the look of Spurs.
Antonio Conte has transformed the look of Spurs…they’re taken seriously, and you suspect they welcome these sorts of games to stand up and be counted!
I can’t wait for it, let’s take a look.
To Win (90 mins)
Manchester City 4/10
Draw 44/10
Tottenham 6/1
Manchester City
Manchester City’s season becomes interesting now that the Champions League has begun. Pep Guardiola still needs to perfect the balancing act between Europe’s elite club football competition and the Premier League.
This article would be remiss without me mentioning Erling Haaland, he’s made this tough league look a little silly recently, hasn’t he? I never thought I’d see the day a player comes into the league (given the usual narrative around ‘settling in time’ and ‘adapting to the physicality in England’) and immediately begin to dominate!
The narrative around Manchester City continues to be incredibly positive and upbeat…all this considering how reliant they have seemingly been on players in their squad.
My concern with City is more of a defensive one. From that perspective they have failed to impress and whilst everyone finds comfort in the fact that ‘it’s still early’ I think City is too good a team to have such a startling fragility.
Defensive errors and misjudgments have been the cause for them leaking soft goals against Newcastle, Palace, and Aston Villa. Of course, City is a direct team and incredibly lethal in attack, but defensively they have made mistakes that are costing them points.
Spurs will want to ask questions about their defensive ability and if City is not entirely up for it – I think they might pay the ultimate price.
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Tottenham
Tottenham is currently unbeaten so far this season, and yet I think they still haven’t quite hit their straps. Antonio Conte has certainly instilled a culture of fight and grit; Spurs have an image about them that can be so easily associated with their manager – and that’s amazing!
I think Spurs are at their best when they come up against teams who want to play on the front foot. Their counter-attacking ability is second to none and the inherent ability to ask questions of their opponent’s last line is consistent.
There was initial excitement about Spurs, and the way in which they began their domestic season, now whilst the excitement might have faded – they continue to go about their business and rack up positive results.
City will dominate possession of the football for sure, it is their identity after all. Now, compound that with the fact that they are playing at home and will be confident given their recent encounters with their friends from London.
I don’t think this game is as clear cut, I think Spurs can grind out a result here – I really do! They proved against Chelsea that they don’t need to always play well to earn something from their games and in can roll their sleeves up and work should they need to.
Conte lives for these sorts of games and moments – therefore Spurs now do as well!
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Prediction: Spurs Win/Draw Double Chance (18/10)
Haaland is a freak of nature and if City is to win, I think he needs to be as insane as is so often the usual. However, I am going to stick my neck out there and go with Spurs coming away from the game with something.
I know it won’t be a popular call, but I believe the environment suits their newly found personality, the stage suits the manager, and the opposition suits their best approach.
