Betting: Injuries will handicap Man City against solid Everton
It was all going so well for Pep Guardiola until he visited White Hart Lane.
After six wins from his first six Premier League games (part of a run of ten straight victories in all competitions) his Manchester City side were bought down to earth by a clinical Spurs, who won 2-0 before the international break.
While Guardiola was philosophical in defeat, that result, and the manner in which City were outplayed, has given the other title-chasers hope that they aren’t as infallible as first thought.
Next up for City are Everton, who travel to the Etihad tomorrow afternoon.
The Toffees themselves went on a winning run that saw them as high as second last month – though defeat to Bournemouth and a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace now sees them in fifth.
However, Ronald Koeman’s side are just four points off City, and a positive result will give hope that a European spot is more than achievable.
With a solid defence that has only conceded five times in seven games, Everton look a world away from the Roberto Martinez’s wide open side last term.
It’s a tricky one to call – while I think City will win, the general 9/20 for them to do so is no value for a game that I think will be quite tight.
Having drawn a blank against Spurs, and with doubts over the fitness of Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, I can’t see City getting more than one or two.
That leads me to suggest backing a handicap bet of Everton (+2), which covers an Everton win, a draw, or a single goal City win.
Betway price that as 8/13.
I predict a tight, cagey game – well below Sporting Index’s total goals line of 3.25.
Sell goals at that price.
Pointers
Everton (+2) 8/13 (Betway)
Sell total goals 3.25 (Sporting Index)