Tottenham vs Man City Prediction: Goals galore in the capital

A tasty Friday night FA Cup lies in wait as Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City in the fourth round, live on ITV, with kick-off at 20:00.

Having already lost Arsenal from this illustrious competition in round three, another one of the big boys faces an early exit here. But will it be Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, or the effervescent force that is Manchester City? 

We’ve taken a look at the form, and previewed this clash - throwing in a couple of betting picks in the process. 

Team News

James Maddison remains out for the hosts but there is the possibility that new centre-back signing Radu Dragusin will be given his first start after arriving from Genoa. Manor Solomon could make the bench for this one as he steps up his recovery, while Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies are out until the end of February. Son Heung-min, Pape Sarra and Yves Bissouma all remain away on international duty.

For Manchester City, John Stones and Erling Haaland are both edging closer to returns, but it seems apparent that neither will be risked for this cup tie. Manuel Akanji was injured in the last round of this competition and remains out, while City also have no international absentees to cope with.

Match Odds

Tottenham Hotspur are 4/1 to win this tie in 90 minutes, while Manchester City are the favourites at 3/5. A draw is available at 16/5, BTTS is 4/7 and over 2.5 goals is 1/2.

Over 3.5 goals @ 5/4

Surely we are going to get goals on Friday night? Two of the most attacking and expansive teams in England meet and even with players out, we should get goals. Given the price for over 2.5 goals is just 1/2, the bookies clearly think so too. However, pushing it one further, to over 3.5 goals, gives us a lovely price of 5/4.

Three of Tottenham’s last four games have ended over 3.5 goals, with the one exception being that drab cup tie against Burnley. They’ve scored at least two goals six league outings and shared a thrilling 3-3 draw with Man City in December. Spurs will have no trouble finding the net here, while City are only just getting going.

They’ve scored at least two goals in each of their last seven outings, including the remarkable comeback win at Newcastle. As always with City, it feels like this is where they really come into their own in the season. With Kevin De Bruyne now fit and firing, and Haaland on his way back, it makes City a scary prospect to face once again. With all of those statistics, and the form both sides are in, this game almost guarantees goals.

Manchester City to win and BTTS @ 9/5

Manchester City are so hard to back against at this moment in time. As we’ve just explained, this game is likely to be stacked with goals, so we don’t need to worry about the BTTS half of this bet. I actually think Spurs are decent value at 4/1 to win this game BUT, with all of their injuries, City will surely be too much for them.

No Son, Sarr, Bissouma or Maddison is such a disappointment as I believe if they were both fully fit they could go toe-to-toe with City in this FA Cup tie. As it is, I think City’s squad will just prove too strong for Spurs on this occasion, and KDB will likely produce some magic as he returns to his very best. This should be an absolute classic, but I feel Spurs will exit the FA Cup on Friday night.

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