Frank Christian
With their head coach secured for at least another season, Manchester City is set to dive back into the Premier League after the international break, facing Tottenham on Saturday.
So far, City has had a rocky start, currently placing second but trailing five points behind leaders Liverpool. Their victories have been hard-earned due to the season-long absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
The upcoming match against Tottenham will be an important benchmark to determine their ability to challenge Liverpool for the championship.
The pressure is particularly intense for the hosts as Pep Guardiola is facing the first four-match losing streak of his managerial career. Adding a fifth loss would be a harsh blow following his recent contract renewal.
Tottenham, currently in 10th place, have had an inconsistent season, showing flashes of brilliance under Ange Postecoglou, but also times of regression. In the last month, they eliminated City from the EFL Cup and secured a big win against Aston Villa, while also suffering defeats against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.
Prediction and Odds for Man City vs. Tottenham
- Moneyline Lean: Man City (-200 on BetMGM)
- Score Prediction: Man City 3-1 Tottenham
Spurs recently knocked City out of the EFL Cup, though Guardiola seemed to prioritize league performance over that competition. Expect a robust lineup from him now that international fixtures have concluded.
Tottenham hasn’t confronted a side as challenging since their narrow defeat in the North London derby in September, and they’re still not in a position to secure consistent results.
| BetMGM (USA) |
|
| Man City Win | -200 |
| Draw | +380 |
| Tottenham Win | +450 |
| Both Teams to Score | Y: -225 N: +150 |
| Over / Under 3.5 Goals | O: -120 U: -120 |
| Man City -1.5 Goals | +115 |
| Tottenham +1.5 Goals | -165 |
Match Facts: Man City vs. Tottenham
- Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 5:30 p.m. local (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Etihad Stadium (Manchester, England)
- Referee: John Brooks, VAR: Michael Salisbury
- Last Meeting: Tottenham 2-1 Man City (Oct. 30, 2024 | EFL Cup)
Best Bet: Man City vs. Tottenham
- Pick: Man City 20+ total shots
- Odds: -110 on FanDuel
This match showcases a compelling statistical contrast—both teams lead the Premier League in total shots taken and have also allowed the fewest shots against them. City, despite some lackluster displays this season, has often registered a high number of attempts on goal.
Even with periods of struggle, City has exceeded 20 shots in five league matches this season, including an impressive 33 shots against Arsenal while playing with a man advantage. This has been achieved with Kevin de Bruyne absent, who might return for this game.
On the other hand, Tottenham hasn’t faced many of the top attacking teams recently, and in their EFL Cup win against Man City, they allowed 15 shots from a less-than-ideal City side. The expected figures for this match may be inflated, but betting on City’s shot total seems promising, pending their ongoing scoring challenges.
Prop Bet for Man City vs. Tottenham
- Pick: Erling Haaland to score first
- Odds: +240 (BetMGM)
Erling Haaland has faced a dip in form recently but has historically found the net early in matches. While first goal-scorer picks can be somewhat unpredictable, the opportunity to bet on a prolific scorer like Haaland is tempting.
He has scored in all seven league games this season, making a habit of doing so within the first 20 minutes and often recording the game’s opening goal—only once was his streaks interrupted this season. After a successful international break, where he netted four goals — including an early strike against Kazakhstan — he seems poised to return to form just as the Premier League season intensifies.
