The Premier League returns after the international break with a big match on Saturday as reigning champions Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium. The Citizens have had the upper hand on the Spurs lately, their two Premier League matches last season were won by Manuel Pellegrini's men with an impressive 11-1 aggregate score line. First there was a 6-0 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium, which led to the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, and then his replacement Tim Sherwood was defeated 5-1 at White Hart Lane.
New Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to do better than that and the fans are hopeful, especially after the 1-0 victory over in-form Southampton before the international break. Manchester City climbed to second position in the league table after two consecutive wins, but they are just three points above Tottenham.
The Citizens will probably be without Yaya Toure, who has not yet returned from international duty with Ivory Coast. Samir Nasri will miss out through injury. For Spurs Nacer Chadli and Hugo Lloris should be fit despite suffering injuries while with their national teams. Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker are long-term absentees for Tottenham, so England Under 21 international Eric Dier will surely play at right back.
Probable starting line-ups:
Man City: Hart - Zabaleta, Mangala, Kompany, Clichy - Milner, Fernandinho, Fernando, Silva - Dzeko, Aguero
Spurs: Lloris - Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose - Capoue, Mason, Dembele - Eriksen, Lamela, Adebayor
My prediction: Manchester City to win 3-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man City win - 9/20 Draw - 15/4 Tottenham win - 7/1
mico.femic.1 9 years ago
Manchester City is the machinery of the team, sometimes they can surprise the best at the top . and they deserve to be at the top, have all the qualities that are also players who are in the field. i always give my best and show the best . Tottenham is not a bad team but can not be compared with Manchester City. although...
Manchester City is the machinery of the team, sometimes they can surprise the best at the top . and they deserve to be at the top, have all the qualities that are also players who are in the field. i always give my best and show the best . Tottenham is not a bad team but can not be compared with Manchester City. although they play very good football , but should be even better to make all this better and harder for your opponents .
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
They really hammered Tottenham.Aguero played one of the best matches in his career,but after last night match against CSKA Moscow,I am starting to think that there is a big difference in the way that City plays ,when they are playing in Champions League and when they are playing in Premier League.They are by far more confident...
They really hammered Tottenham.Aguero played one of the best matches in his career,but after last night match against CSKA Moscow,I am starting to think that there is a big difference in the way that City plays ,when they are playing in Champions League and when they are playing in Premier League.They are by far more confident when they play in PL.
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kkole 9 years ago
Easy win for manchester city. Tittenham will never be club for the tittle and matches like this they will lose again and again. City for me is best team in league and I think that they will win preamier league. They have great players like aguero, toure or kompany and they know how to win league, it will be hard with chelsea...
Easy win for manchester city. Tittenham will never be club for the tittle and matches like this they will lose again and again. City for me is best team in league and I think that they will win preamier league. They have great players like aguero, toure or kompany and they know how to win league, it will be hard with chelsea as opponent but I think it is possible.
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aleksandar vlaisavljevic 9 years ago
wow...this was close prediciton. M. city is great machine, it was no suprise, last year tottenham received 11 goals in two games from MC. Sergio Aguero is unstoppable. On the other side, new manager is there, but nothing else changed, yet, MC ruled this game!
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cris1285 9 years ago
It was one of the best PL game this year. Aguero is brilliant since he is healthy.
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madzgos 9 years ago
Also, and I agree with Johnajax. City is favorite for this clash. For me, Tottenham is was team for "small" matches, they won over small teams. City is in a good form, plays very well, and I expect easy win. I'm not sure that Tottenhem could score. For this match Jovetic will be on the bench and I expect him to play in...
Also, and I agree with Johnajax. City is favorite for this clash. For me, Tottenham is was team for "small" matches, they won over small teams. City is in a good form, plays very well, and I expect easy win. I'm not sure that Tottenhem could score. For this match Jovetic will be on the bench and I expect him to play in second half.
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Snoop 9 years ago
This will be very interesting match, In my opinion it won't be to easy for Manchester City, but the end they should win. After break, both teams are ready for new games, players of Tottenham will give their best to make better result then last year on Etihad. Here i would take a bet - Tottenham +1,5, they have very good...
This will be very interesting match, In my opinion it won't be to easy for Manchester City, but the end they should win. After break, both teams are ready for new games, players of Tottenham will give their best to make better result then last year on Etihad. Here i would take a bet - Tottenham +1,5, they have very good team, they are not so big underdog in this match...
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Johnajax 9 years ago
I am agree with johnny here in prediction. I think that this is derby only on the paper and in real life this is clear - City win. City play at home against tottenham who trying to get champions league 3-4 years in a row but always something missing. I think that their attacers must do better job and they should look for...
I am agree with johnny here in prediction. I think that this is derby only on the paper and in real life this is clear - City win. City play at home against tottenham who trying to get champions league 3-4 years in a row but always something missing. I think that their attacers must do better job and they should look for some strikers in next transfer windows. And for now they must be satisfied by UEFA Europa league and City will continuo race for the champions with another victory
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