Manchester City v Tottenham Preview

Goals expected as City host Spurs

Manchester City v Tottenham Preview:

Premier League: Sunday, 22 January 2012 1:30pm

Author: Thomas Rooney 19/01/2012

In what could be perhaps the biggest weekend in the Premier League title race this season, Manchester City take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium hours before their main title rivals go up against Arsenal in north London.

City have assumed the role of pace setters so far this season and have so far done an effective job of keeping their rivals at bay – managing to pull out a three point lead from United having sacrificed a five point gap over the festive period.

What Roberto Mancini wouldn’t have envisaged however is that Tottenham would be one of their main rivals for the Premier League crown having comprehensively beaten them at White Hart Lane back in August.

Edin Dzeko was in outstanding form as Spurs were brushed aside 5-1 amidst unrest over Luka Modric’s potential switch to Chelsea and before the arrival of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor.

That defeat marked the beginning of an outstanding run which has seen them taste defeat only once in their next 19 games to put Harry Redknapp’s side in with a chance of claiming their first title since 1961.

However their challenge was dealt a minor setback against Wolves last week as they were held to a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane to leave them five points off the pace, while City were efficient rather than emphatic as they secured a 1-0 win over Wigan on Monday.

The game should be a more even one than when the two sides last met, with City going into the encounter without a host of key players.

Vincent Kompany is still serving a suspension for his sending off against Manchester United in the F.A Cup, while both Yaya and Kolo Toure are absent because of their participation with the Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations.

Micah Richards may also miss the tie while Mario Balotelli picked up an ankle knock against Wigan and may miss the game.

Tottenham have the major headache of going into the game without their leading striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, who is ineligible to play against his parent club.

That means Jermain Defoe is likely to step into the line up alongside Rafael Van Der Vaart, while at the back Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul look set to continue their partnership at centre-back with Ledley King and William Gallas still out of action. Sandro will continue his spell on the sidelines with a calf complaint.

City are slight favourites for the game despite Mancini’s claims that his side are suffering badly because of injury, but Tottenham go into the game full of hope that they can gain revenge for their mauling at the hands of the Citizens earlier this season.

The visitors will be buoyed by Kompany’s absence, and the fact that his deputy, Stefan Savic, has so far proved a liability, giving away the penalty that handed Liverpool the advantage in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie last week.

However, ominously, Dzeko - man who did the damage by claiming four goals against Spurs last time - ended a goal-less streak against Wigan that extended back to November, with the Bosnian in line for a starting spot this weekend.

This should be an entertaining one with plenty of goals, living up to its Super Sunday name.

Match bet: Draw @ 13/5 with BetVictor - Ł25 free bet.

Correct score prediction: Manchester City 3:3 Tottenham @ 69/1 with Canbet