City can continue strong recent record over Spurs
BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE BEST OF THE WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION
AFTER an international round of fixtures where results mean the likes of Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Slovakia now top their respective groups in Euro 2016 qualifying, punters might want to approach this weekend’s Premier League action with an open mind.
Champions Manchester City face Tottenham at the Etihad tomorrow lunchtime already five points behind pacesetters Chelsea. They really need a win to ensure they hold onto the Blues’ coattails, with Jose Mourinho’s men appearing to have a far more winnable game away at Crystal Palace.
Tottenham have been hit and miss so far this campaign and won’t want to be reminded of the double drubbing they took at the hands of City last term.
Jesus Navas scored in the first and the final minute of a memorable 6-0 thrashing in November, and four second half goals overwhelmed Spurs at White Hart Lane in the return fixture, which finished 5-1 two months later.
City’s prolific attack is starting to hit top gear as six goals in their last two games against Hull and Aston Villa illustrate. A 3-1 win earlier in the season over Liverpool shows they can also turn it on against the bigger names.
Goals have been harder to come by for the visitors. Only once have Mauricio Pochettino’s men hit more than two in a league match so far. And it’s interesting to note that the last six league meetings between the pair have served up 30 goals – with Spurs hitting just eight of those.
Sporting Index traders are alive to the danger of a high-scoring affair, and buying total goals at 3.2 doesn’t appeal pre-game. Tottenham have conceded only two in their previous three, but none came before the 74th minute and it may take Sergio Aguero and Co. a while to break them down. Spread bettors, therefore, may want to consider buying the time of the first match goal at 33.
The supremacy spread – trading at 1.25-1.45 in City’s favour – does look fair, though, and is worth buying. The hosts had to wait a while against Villa last time, but two late goals sealed the deal and I can see a similar outcome here.
■ Pointers…
Buy Manchester City’s supremacy at 1.45 with
Sporting Index