Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City Betting Preview and Tips 15/08/21

2020/21 Premier League winners Manchester City kick off their title defence with a test against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Tottenham. Pep Guardiola’s City travels to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the Sunday 4:30 match, broadcast on Sky. The Citizens will be gunning for their fifth top-flight title and will want a strong start on Sunday. Spurs will be desperate to improve on their disappointing, 7th place finish at the end of last season. 

Team News/Form

Nuno Espirito Santo was named as Spurs’ new manager over the summer. The Portuguese coach has overseen a decent pre-season. The North London side went unbeaten in five friendlies with a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea, followed by a 1-0 home win against Arsenal. Man City won all three of their pre-season friendlies against Preston, Barnsley, and Blackpool. But their pre-season preparations were tarnished by a late 1-0 loss to Leicester in the Community Shield on Saturday. 

Spurs will be without full-back Ryan Sessegnon (thigh). Cristian Romero and Harry Kane should make the squad. But Tanguy Ndombele is unlikely to make the squad due to a lack of match fitness. Phil Foden (ankle) and Kevin de Bruyne (ankle) are ruled out for City. 

Matchwinner Betting Odds

Man City come into their opening Premier League fixture as favourites over Tottenham. Guardiola’s side have won 10 of their last 14 in all competitions, and there is some value backing the champions at 13/20 to beat Spurs. However, City have a poor recent record away at Tottenham. The North London side beat the Citizens 2-0 at home last season, their fifth consecutive home win against the Manchester club. A Spurs win at 5/1, provided by Boylesports is unlikely due to City’s good form. But a draw at 16/5, provided by Bet365, is excellent value and our tip for this weekend’s fixture. 

Under/Over Goals Betting

Historically, this isn’t a fixture that produces high scoring contests, especially when the sides meet in North London. There is some value on backing over 2.5 goals, however. Spurs saw over 2.5 goals in eight of their last nine Premier League games in the 2020/21 season and Man City. Mansion Bet will provide the best odds for over 2.5 goals with 5/6 odds. Our tip is to go lower and back BetVictor’s 11/10 odds for under 2.5 this Sunday. Six of the last nine matches between the sides have ended in under 2.5 goals. Three of the last four fixtures in North London have ended 2-0, which could provide some extra value in the correct score market. 

Anytime Goalscorer Betting Market

There is plenty of attacking talent in Spurs’ and City’s respective squads. Raheem Sterling was on top form at the Euros over the summer, netting three goals for England. He is likely to return to City’s squad this weekend, and Unibet are backing Sterling at 39/20 to score anytime. Gabriel Jesus to score anytime is also priced at 39/20 at the same odds by Unibet. As City’s only out-and-out striker, they could rely on the Brazilian to start finding the net this season. However, our goalscorer tip for this fixture is Son Heung-Min. With Harry Kane unlikely to feature and pressing for a move away from North London, Son could carry the goalscoring mantle this season. The South Korean international has scored four in his last five for club and country. Unibet will return 11/4 for a Son goal at any time, excellent value for an in-form striker. 

Spurs vs Man City could provide a blockbuster start to the 2021/22 campaign on Sunday. Espirito Santo’s Spurs will be keen to upset City and pile on the misery following the Citizen’s Community Shield loss last weekend. If you choose any of our tips above, please remember that our tips are not guaranteed to provide winners. Each week, our betting tips are given based on the latest team news, bookmaker’s odds and form. If you decide to place a bet, take time to understand responsible gambling procedures. Always take the time to read any terms and conditions the bookmakers have before signing up or betting. For the latest free bets and offers from bookies, be sure to check out our home page.