Lee Dixon: Spurs set to stumble against City once again

21Apr 2013

England - Premier League

Tottenham are sliding out of the Champions League positions and will have to buck a poor run of results against Manchester City to get back on track, but Lee Dixon thinks the Lilywhites are headed for more end of season disappointment...

Tottenham's season has taken a turn for the worse and the last thing they need right now is a visit from in-form Manchester City.

It's been five Premier League matches since Tottenham beat the champions - a Peter Crouch header separating the two in early May 2010 at the Etihad as the Londoners secured a win that took them to Champions League qualification for the first time.

That is Spurs' last remaining goal of this campaign after dropping out of the Europa League in disappointing fashion at Basel, but results and injuries have conspired against them in recent weeks and they are out to 2.5 from a low of 1.2 in Betfair's Top Four finish market. Any more slip-ups could prove very costly for their hopes of spending another season among the big boys of European football.

Ten points clear of Tottenham and second in the league, City are just about certain to play in the competition next year of course and they arrive at White Hart Lane on the back of three straight wins.

Those have ranged from a demolition of Newcastle to a stirring defeat of city rivals United to Wednesday night's slim 1-0 win over FA Cup finalists Wigan. But whatever the quality of the performance, they have got the job done over the last few matches and the feeling is that Roberto Mancini has got his team peaking at the end of the season. If only they'd started a few games earlier...

Recent fixturees between these two have all gone City's way but - a 5-1 hammering at White Hart Lane at the start of the 2011-12 campaign apart - they have been close-fought affairs. Edin Dzeko's 88th minute winner separated the two in their first meeting this year, while Mario Balotelli left it even later when breaking Spurs' hearts with a penalty as City edged a classic 3-2 at the Etihad to crush Tottenham's title dreams last season.

I think City will do the same here and win by the odd goal. Their defence has been in fine fettle lately and I don't see Tottenham outscoring the visitors with question marks over the home side's attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.

With stats and form in their favour, backing City to win at 2.34 makes sense while those feeling a bit more daring could play an away win to nil at around 7.0 on the exchange.

I'll keep it simple though and take the shorter price on City inflicting another defeat on a weakened Spurs once again.

Recommended Bet

Back Manchester City @ 2.34