Game Week 2 Predictions: City to beat Spurs

Man City host Spurs at the Etihad in a thrilling early kickoff. Pep seeks revenge, Spurs aim to repeat last season’s heroics. Verdict: City to win.

Erling Haaland will look to add to his brace against Wolves when Tottenham visits the Etihad on Saturday, how will this play out? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Manchester City vs Tottenham

Etihad Stadium

12:30pm

This is one game everyone has been waiting for. Tottenham found creative ways to beat Manchester City silly last season, and they seem to know how to unravel Pep Guardiola’s side. Will they do it again?

Manchester City were swashbuckling in their season opener against Wolves, but the half-empty guys will say it was just Wolves. The former champions didn’t get into their stride until midway into the first half, but once they did, they didn’t look back.

Tottenham recorded a brilliant opening-day win too; it was great to see Thomas Frank get off to a winning start, and what a way to do it: a 3-0 success in front of the fans against Burnley with excellent goals from Richarlison and Brennan Johnson. Here is a good test for them.

Both sides are coming off a bad season. It ended well for Spurs but not for Manchester City, as Guardiola ended a season without major silverware for the first time since he got to England. He looks like someone who is out for revenge; this fixture will tell a lot about that.

The bare minimum for both sides this season is different. No one realistically expects Tottenham to win the league, but you cannot say the same for Manchester City; Guardiola himself knows the target is the title, and if that were to happen in May, it has to show in this fixture.

Spurs must still be licking their wounds after Arsenal hijacked their Ebere Eze deal. Thomas Frank was quick to say they only want players who want to play for them; however, they need to go into the market to seek a replacement for James Maddison, who is out on long-term leave.

Savinho is a name people will throw into this context. Spurs want the Brazilian, while Guardiola insists he’s not for sale. Will he have a part to play in this after missing the opening day fixture? Ederson and Manuel Akanji are close to exits; are we going to see them for the last time in a City shirt on Saturday?

Watch out for Erling Haaland; his brace against Wolves must have opened his heart to the big picture, which is the Golden Boot. Tijani Reijnders took Wolves to the cleaners, while Oscar Bobb and Ryan Cherki had their say too. Will they do it again?

Mohammed Kudus is a name to keep in mind. The Ghanaian was instrumental to Richarlison’s goals against Burnley; City must keep an eye on him. Dominic Solanke will be fighting to get a starting shirt, but can he beat Richarlison to it?

Verdict: City to win