So long international break, welcome back Premier League! But will champions Man City be so pleased to get back into action given their recent woes?
Peter Crouch gave us his thoughts on their recent run of defeats as well as how they can turn it around, starting with Man City v Tottenham on Saturday evening – and don’t forget, with Paddy Power’s Super Sub, your player bets roll over even if your selection goes off…
Man City to win
Erling Haaland to score
Son Heung-min to take 1+ shots
Dejan Kulusevski to score or assist
WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 5:30pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
TV: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League
There’s a lot of factors playing into Man City’s losing streak. They haven’t looked as dynamic in general this season. Obviously Rodri is a huge miss for them too.
They’ve had a lot of other injury problems as well. If you look through their side you’ll see they’ve had a lot of players miss time – Phil Foden’s been struggling, Jon Stones, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Jeremy Doku is hurt now.
They should be able to cope with that too though. They’ve got enough talent but just haven’t been firing. Defensively they’ve been suspect, but I think they’ve got the ability to comeback from this – it’s November and they’re five points off the top of the league.
That’s nothing to Man City, really!
The nucleus of that team has been together a long time now and they’ve won a lot together. People might think this team’s coming to an end because of a few bad results but I still think we could be sitting here at the end of the season and they’ve won the league by 12 points.
Of course, Spurs are suffering a lack of confidence as well with some poor results and dissatisfaction building around the club.
It’s hard to make sense of them right now. You look at the Brighton game where they were cruising in the first-halt and ended up getting beaten. They go and beat Man City and Villa then lose to Palace and Ipswich – there’s no consistency. No manager can want that.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shakhtar Donetsk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 6, 2023 in England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
It’s tough to put your finger on why it’s happening. At times they look breathtaking. Against West Ham, they were so, so good. I always think they’re going to score.
But I also think they’ll concede and it’s question of how many sometimes.
The way they play, it does feel like the issues they’re having can be addressed – we’ve seen the set-piece issues going on for so long, the high line at the back can mean they score more goals but they concede a lot too.
These are things you feel can be addressed but it doesn’t feel like they have been yet.
Man City to win
Because of that I think the best Tottenham can hope for is a draw on Saturday.
But if i’m going with my head I have to say Man City will win this.
I can see a few goals in it and Spurs will push them and should score, but in the end City will edge ahead and probably win 3-1.
Erling Haaland to score
If Man City score, Erling Haaland is the likeliest to do it, isn’t he? And with Spurs allowing goals you couldn’t rule out a couple for him – or even a hat-trick.
Son Heung-min to have 1+ shots
Son Heung-min is going to carry the threat for Tottenham and he should have at least one shot as Spurs look to challenge City.
Dejan Kulusevski to score or assist
Dejan Kulusevski does look better in that central position than out wide. Any time I see Spurs he looks like the best player on the pitch playing there. It’s a tough one for the manager because you can’t really fit him in there with James Maddison, especially away at Man City.
If Tottenham score, you’d have to fancy Kulusevski to play a part in it, either assisting or finishing it himself.
Man City to win
Erling Haaland to score
Son Heung-min to take 1+ shots
Dejan Kulusevski to score or assist
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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