Alex Wrigley's tips for Friday night's FA Cup clash include a good result for Spurs with goals at both ends.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping to keep dreams of an unprecedented treble defence alive when his Manchester City side travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night, but the FA Cup holders could face stiff competition against a much-improved Spurs outfit.
Ange Postecoglou’s hosts were unfortunate to only draw at Manchester United last time out and some of their results this season suggest they could give City a run for their money.
The visitors are 8/13 favourites to win in north London with Spurs a 7/2 chance to continue on the road to Wembley. The draw is a 16/5 chance.
Postecoglu’s men pose a threat
These sides drew 3-3 at the Etihad at the start of December and Spurs have also earned positive results this season against Manchester United (twice), Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal this term.
City are likely to be without Erling Haaland again despite the Norwegian’s return to training earlier this month, but it is safe to say they have coped well without their star striker, winning eight of their nine games in his absence.
Despite being unbeaten in that time, the visitors still look far too short to win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground they are yet to win or even score at. Indeed, City have won just one of their last five meetings with Spurs at any venue.
However, given Spurs have kept just six clean sheets all season and Manchester City have failed to score in only three of 32 outings, a clean sheet looks unlikely for Postecoglou’s men so backing Tottenham to win or draw and both teams to score looks excellent value at 11/5.
Richarlison’s purple patch to continue
With Son Heung-min still at the Asian Cup, Tottenham will have to rely on one of their other stars to make the difference on Friday.
The most likely candidate is Richarlison, who has rediscovered his confidence of late.
The goals have finally started to flow for the £60-million man, who has scored eight times for Spurs this season, six of which have come since mid-December.
The 26-year-old has found the back of the net in five of his last seven games and is averaging a goal every 88 minutes in that run.
Such fantastic form makes quotes of 12/5 about him notching against City very appealing.
Goals on the cards
Richarlison is unlikely to be the only goalscorer in what is expected to be an entertaining cup tie.
Tottenham have been a thrilling watch under Postecoglou, with 78 goals being scored in their 23 games under the Australian.
Nine of those games have featured at least four goals, including their 3-3 Premier League thriller against Manchester City at the Etihad last month.
City’s fixtures have been similarly high-scoring, with Oliver Bobb’s late winner last time out making it 113 goals scored in 32 games this term, 15 of which have featured four or more strikes.
With both sides playing their part in plenty of thrillers this term, a bet on over 3.5 goals at 6/5 looks worthwhile.
Best bets
Tottenham or draw and both teams to score @ 2/1
Richarlison to score @ 12/5
Over 3.5 goals @ 6/5
Visit Betway’s football betting page.
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