Chris Sutton has made his score prediction for this weekend, but he highlighted a problem in the Tottenham first-team squad which could have an effect when they take on Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for their first Premier League away trip this season against a team in fine form. Manchester City may have suffered a shock exit to Al Hilal at the Club World Cup, but Pep Guardiola’s team destroyed Wolves 4-0 in their opening league fixture.
Spurs come into this match at the end of a week full of frustrations. Last week’s 3-0 victory over Burnley might feel like ancient history, due to everything that has since happened off the pitch.
Manchester City are trying to prevent Tottenham from signing Savinho in a blow which leaves the team lacking quality on the left wing.
Worse still, Spurs lost out to Arsenal on Eberechi Eze, despite days of negotiations between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish. This means it has now been 19 days since Tottenham have signed a player. Their most recent addition is Joao Paulinha, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich.
Chris Sutton submits Manchester City vs Tottenham score prediction
Chris Sutton has made his prediction on BBC Sport for the weekend’s clashes and he has highlighted a problem Tottenham have not been able to overcome. The player-turned-pundit cannot see Thomas Frank and his players competing with the league’s elite teams, because they lack quality players.
He said: “Manchester City really impressed me last week and everyone is rightly talking about Tijjani Reijnders. Statman Dave told me to get him into my Fantasy team, I didn’t take that advice and I should’ve done. He was brilliant against Wolves.
“I do think Tottenham will be a level above under Thomas Frank. It’ll be interesting how they set up. They played a back three in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain.
“Cristian Romero has signed a new contract for Tottenham, that’s a big deal. But how did they not get a deal for Eberechi Eze over the line? It had been going on for weeks and now Arsenal have come in and embarrassed them!
“Tottenham are still a few players short from properly challenging the really big teams and in this game I think City at home will be too strong for them.”
Chris Sutton’s prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs must rely on a Thomas Frank masterclass
Our prediction for Tottenham against Burnley was correct and like Sutton, we have also predicted Spurs to suffer a 2-1 defeat this weekend. Man City are off to a flying start and are the stronger team on paper.
However, Thomas Frank will do his best to give Tottenham a chance in this fixture. He almost masterminded a victory against PSG and had that been a league game, Spurs would have still picked up a draw.
The emphasis is likely to be on a strong defensive foundation, which then allows moments to get the ball forward to Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison.
READ MORE – Tottenham predicted XI vs Manchester City as Dominic Solanke is benched again
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