Tottenham vs Manchester City 2019 EPL Odds, Preview & Pick

Tottenham Hotspur heads to the Etihad to take on a Manchester City team in a matchup that, despite its early date in the 38-match Englsh Premier League schedule, has significant ramifications for the Spurs’ desire to end up in the top four — or even contend for the Premier League title. Tottenham made it all the way to the finals of the 2018 UEFA Champions League, upsetting Manchester City in the quarterfinals before mounting a shocking comeback in the second leg to eliminate Ajax in the semis, only to fall, 2-0, to Liverpool in the final. Now City has a chance to gain some revenge; both teams are tied atop the EPL table after one match. Can the Spurs deliver a massive road upset? Or will City get some payback for their Champions League loss? Don’t miss our soccer betting preview for this thriller.

Tottenham vs Manchester City 2019 EPL Odds, Preview & Pick

Anyone else got that #FridayFeeling 🎊 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/a1yEVY5Aey

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2019

When: Saturday, August 17, 2019, 12:30pm ET Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester TV: NBC Radio: None Live Stream: ESPN+ Soccer Odds: Manchester City -227 / Tottenham Hotspur +550 / Draw +350

Why should you bet on Tottenham Hotspur?

Tottenham opened EPL play with a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa, a team likely headed for relegation, at least at this point. The visitors put up an early goal from John McGinn in the ninth minute, and it took a long time for the Spurs to put dents in Aston Villa’s armor. Tottenham launched 31 shots to just seven from Aston Villa, but only seven of the Spurs’ shots were on target (to four from the visitors). Tanguy Ndombele got the equalizer in the 73rd minute, and then Harry Kane played the hero, getting the winner in the 86th minute and completing the brace for some insurance in the 90th minute. Tottenham dominated possession, controlling for 71 percent of the match, and their passing accuracy (89%) was splendid. Their intense pressure generated 14 corner kicks in the match, to none from Aston Villa. If you like Tottenham here, you do not see them conceding a bad goal in the early minutes but instead mounting that offensive pressure from the get-go. With a team like City, it will be fatal for the Spurs to give up an early goal, particularly on the road.

Why should you put your money on Manchester City?

The Citizens started on the road, facing West Ham United in their opener. Things stayed even in the early going, but then Gabriel Jesus started the scoring in the 25th minute. The score was just 1-0 going into halftime, but then it did not take long for City to pour on the offense. Raheem Sterling scored just six minutes after the intermission, and then added a second goal in the 75th minute. Sergio Aguero converted from the spot in the 75th minute, and then Sterling completed his hat trick in injury time at the end of the second half. City controlled the ball for 58 percent of the game, outshooting West Ham 14-5 (9-3 on target). City completed 86 percent of their passes, to just 80 percent for the home side, and they were aggressive, committing 13 fouls and drawing a pair of yellow cards. Even so, once they found their way through the West Ham defense, they just kept coming relentlessly. This is not the look of a tea that plans to rest on its laurels, as the defending EPL champs. Instead, they look like a team on a renewed mission. If you like Manchester City, you see their talent level slightly above that of the Spurs, and you also see their motivation at the chance to reverse the result from the Champions League.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The moneyline is tilted sharply in favor of Manchester City. I see the combination of the home fixture, the motivation from the Champions League, and the sharp play from the opener pointing bettors in that direction. I predict a final score of City 2, Tottenham 1.