Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur Predictions

• Manchester City have conceded in six of their last eight home matches
• Both teams have scored in eight of Tottenham’s last ten games
• City have scored at least twice in 13 of their last 16 league matches at the Etihad

Defensive issues a worry for Spurs

Manchester City may have to regroup after they saw their winning run of 15 league games ended by last week’s draw against Liverpool and then a poor first-half show in midweek against RB Leipzig, and that probably doesn’t bode well for Tottenham’s chances at the Etihad on Sunday.

City conceded two goals before the interval against the Bundesliga side before coming back to win 3-2, but Tottenham’s selection dilemmas should play into their hands for this weekend’s showdown.

There could be some home nerves as Spurs have won three of their last four Premier League matches against the treble winners, but Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is again unable to field his ideal defence.

Cristian Romero is suspended and impressive signing Micky van de Ven is injured and that means the Aussie will have to shuffle the pack as they look forward to the unenviable task of keeping a check on City forward Erling Haaland.

They may not be unable to do so, but City have a habit of conceding goals on their own patch, so Tottenham could score while losing, which has happened to them in their last three games against Wolves, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

City have potential to run riot

Tottenham have subscribed to the theory that the best form of defence is attack since Postecoglou took the helm and it seems unlikely that their tactics will change even though they are facing one of the world’s best teams.

Spurs can be expected to chase the game if they fall behind and there is potential for them to be overwhelmed by a rampant City forward line, who should create plenty of chances.

The north London have scored in all 14 games under the Australian’s stewardship and City’s record of conceding at home is not impressive, but there is potential that the floodgates could open if Spurs are left chasing the game, so a 4-1 home win is not an unrealistic correct-score option.

Spaniard could make his mark

Haaland could make hay against what is likely to be another Tottenham backline, but the chances of City’s midfield ace Rodri scoring should not be dismissed.

The hero of their Champions League win over Inter in Istanbul has scored three goals this season, including in the recent 4-4  draw at Stamford Bridge.

He has had an effort on goal in five of his last six club appearances, so he could represent some decent anytime-goalscorer value as his shots per game figure of two is high for a player who plays in a deep role.