The silence was deafening last Saturday at the Ethiad. Manchester City wasn't just beaten by Leicester City; it was destroyed. The final match tally read 3-1, but it could've just as easily been 6-0. The minnows of the Premier League, who were certain to be relegated to the Championship at this time last year, not only survived, but they've thrived to sit atop English soccer. Now, Manchester City is left reeling, and it has to get back on the horse in a hurry with another top flight team coming to Manchester on Sunday, Tottenham.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City -140
Tottenham +340
Draw +275
Over/Under 2.5 (over -140)
ODDS ANALYSIS
City was a -170 moneyline favorite at home against Leicester, and one would've thought if it could've taken care of business at home with ease, it would be a similar favorite in this one. Instead, the Citizens have dropped to -140 and could fall as the week wears on as well from there if the sense is that Manuel Pellegrini's men have tuned him out after the news broke last week that he will indeed be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the term.
The total in this match is somewhat high at 2.5 and -140 vig on the over, especially when you consider the fact that Tottenham has the best defense in the EPL at just 19 goals allowed in 25 matches.
KEY INJURIES
Injuries have really worn on the Citizens this year, but they shouldn't be bothered by them all that much when you consider their embarrassment of riches. Still, Wilfried Bony, Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala are all out of the fold for this one. Fabian Delph and Vincent Kompany are going to be worth watching all week long as well. Both sat out against Leicester in matches which they hoped to return from minor knocks, and they'll have seven days to prep for this one against Tottenham.
Dele Alli was cleared of a concussion just in time to play against Watford over the weekend, but he didn't come on until the hour. Whether he can start in this match or not remains to be seen. Ryan Mason was also an available substitute against Watford even though he was questionable to play in that match, but he wasn't called upon. Aside from that, the Spurs are relatively healthy heading into this match with Man City.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We had a chance to recover points at home, now we're six points behind Leicester. Now we have 39 points more to play for. We must focus game by game and try to beat Spurs here. We see what happens between Arsenal and Leicester. So many things can happen." – Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on the task ahead of trying to run down the Foxes for the EPL title
RECENT FORM
Almost quietly Tottenham has won six straight matches to leap into second place in the Premier League. The Spurs have been buoyed by a successful campaign in the FA Cup, and that parlayed with success in the Europa League have them thinking about the possibility of it being a banner year at White Hart Lane.
Not only did City lose to Leicester City over the weekend, but the Citizens have dropped 12 possible points in nine EPL matches since just before Christmas. That's why the Premier League is truly so wide open in this, one of the craziest years we've ever seen in any soccer league.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We really think City is set to lose once again in this one. The Foxes exploited the lack of speed at the back, and Harry Kane could end up doing the same thing. Let's not forget that the Spurs netted four in a span of just 35 minutes against Manchester City back in September at White Hart Lane, and they could end up doing something similar here as well.
If Kompany returns to the lineup for the full 90, we'd feel better about backing City, but there's something in the water right now in Manchester that worries us. Have the players completely tuned out Pellegrini, knowing that a new boss is set to come in just a few months from now? It's entirely possible. Either way, we'll take our chances with the Spurs, even on the road, especially in the form they're currently in.
Tottenham 2, Manchester City 1
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between Manchester City and Tottenham is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2016, at 11:15 a.m. ET at Ethiad Stadium. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
