Man City v Tottenham Tip

Part one of the Sunday double-bill is such a massive game for both teams that I can’t believe it won’t at least begin tentatively. All evidence suggests it will be nothing like the 5-1 match at White Hart Lane right at the start of the season. City are scoring less freely these days while Tottenham have tightened up at the back. If both teams wait for the other to make a mistake, this is the sort of encounter that will be settled by a single strike. I recommend a bet on under 1.5 goals in the match at best odds of 3/1 with WilliamHill.

Mancini may have recently become a little more like the cautious tactician we saw when he first arrived in England. Last season, City were, frankly, more Italian in their approach. After a wobble, I suspect the former Inter boss is putting a premium on clean sheets again.  The 1-0 victory at Wigan on Monday night was professional, not swashbuckling.

For their part, there haven’t been more than two goals in any of Spurs’ last seven league matches. They aren’t scoring as many right now either, but the defence has stayed pretty secure. The likely absence of Ledley King is a blow, but Michael Dawson is a worthy replacement now that he has a few games under his belt.

A final reason why I think this one will be tight is a shared mentality that defeat must be avoided at all costs. City might conclude that a draw isn’t the end of the world as it will ensure they stay top with one of their toughest games negotiated. Equally, Tottenham may regard this as their hardest test left this season, and conclude that sharing the spoils wouldn’t be the end of the world.

However, a decisive result would either send alarm bells ringing loud in the home dressing room, or more or less end Spurs’ title bid. Caution, with defences predominantly on top may be the outcome.