We are back to the EPL after some games went down in the FA Cup during the weekdays. Matchday 24 begins with huge games going down today. Yes, you saw it right when I wrote "huge games": Leicester City taking on Liverpool, Crystal Palace hosting Burnley, Manchester City facing off against Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton and Hove Albion battling out against Aston Villa.
Definitely, it was difficult choosing between the games involving Leicester City against Liverpool and Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur, but there was no way I could pass up the opportunity of analyzing the game between the 2 arguable best football tacticians in the world, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. You would do the same if you were in my shoes, wouldn't you?
Starting off with the home team
1) MANCHESTER CITY:
You definitely can not put aside the Citizen's impressive run of games which have seen them accumulate a massive 22 games without suffering a defeat in all competitions, 15 games winning streak in all competitions, setting a new record for an English team, and 7 clean sheets in 10 games which includes 28 goals being scored and just 3 conceded. I bet loads of teams will be scared of facing City at this moment with Jose Mourinho's Tottenham being no exception. Another good example of how much you should fear this side was the way they blitzed past Liverpool last time out in the EPL.
Another stat that favors the Citizen's , although not a string one is their better "head to head" against Spurs. The Citizens have narrowlly been dominant over Tottenham Hotspur in their last 8 meetings, winning 4, losing 3, and playing just 1 draw. A close one you want to say.
This stat will pave way to the stats favoring Tottenham Hotspur getting a win in this game.
2) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
Although Spurs have not being impressive of lately and are a far cry compared to City, well I think it is best you know that City have not defeated Tottenham on their last 3 meetings, and they, Pep's City have been on the losing side twice since Jose Mourinho took over as Tottenham's manager. I bet Jose Mourinho and Tottenham will be looking forward to making it 3 consecutive wins over the Citizens. You might want to argue that the Citizens were not in their best form in their last 3 meetings against Spurs, well, this is true, but it does not also take away the fact that these 3 losses would have some huge negative psychological impact on the Citizens, favoring Spurs.
Another huge threat to City gaining a win is the duo of Harry Kane and Heung Min Son. Both players have being instrumental for Spurs this season, and I bet City have not forgotten how much threat both players posed during their first meeting this season. Jose Mourinho will definitely be hoping they both are in their best form once again to penetrate a solid City backline.
I am definitely looking forward to enjoying this game with Pep Guardiola's City gaining control of the ball and coming on the attack, whilst Jose Mourinho's Spurs wait for good counter attacking opportunities.
Feel free to drop your opinions and comments, they will be greatly appreciated.
Much love from your Football Analyst and Writer, IbkDaGreat.
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