Man City v Tottenham Tips: Jack Grealish can continue impressive recent run

Manchester City and Tottenham will attempt to rebound from devastating defeats in their respective derbies when they kick off this weekend’s Premier League action on Thursday evening.

Super Jack

Saturday’s 2-1 road defeat to Manchester United left Manchester City eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, who triumphed in the North London Derby over Spurs. Now City are really under the cosh if they want to retain their title.

The good news for the Sky Blues is that centre backs Ruben Dias and John Stones are available following their injuries. However, key playmaker Kevin De Bruyne missed training during the week and is a doubt for Thursday’s game.

Kevin De Bruyne (right): The Belgian is an injury doubt ahead of Thursday's Premier League game

Even if De Bruyne is fit, expect a few changes for Man City. England winger Jack Grealish scored off the bench against United to give City the lead and his impressive recent form could force manager Pep Guardiola to give him another start.

Grealish has one goal and three assists in his last four league matches and provides value in the anytime goalscorer market at 3.9. The 27-year-old is averaging 0.25 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes in the league this season and is posing a stronger threat with every passing week. There’s no reason why he can’t carry that form into Friday’s match. 

Leaky Spurs

Their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace aside, Tottenham’s defensive record is horrific. They have registered just one clean sheet in the Premier League since mid-October and conceded multiple goals in seven of their last eight league games. Logic dictates that will be the case again on Friday. 

However, Tottenham have been a force to be reckoned with in the latter part of their matches. No team has a superior record in the second half than Spurs (12 wins, three draws, four losses, 27 goals scored, 12 conceded), yet they’ve accumulated just five wins, six draws, six losses, 10 goals scored and 13 conceded in the first half.

Therefore, if Tottenham can keep the scoreline respectable by half-time, they could produce a second-half surge. It might not lead to a positive result but there will surely be entertainment. Both City and Spurs to score in the second half at 3 seems very enticing given those aforementioned trends.

Goalfest?

Everyone is aware of Manchester City’s attacking exploits - they are always capable of turning on the afterburners and coasting past opponents in style. 

This could be the case against Tottenham, who have seen an average of 3.33 goals scored per match in games against the ‘big six’ since manager Antonio Conte took over. That stat includes their 3-2 win over Man City last February.

City has a 71.43% win probability entering Friday’s match, which shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. But, even with Spurs up against it, there should be plenty of goals.

Manchester City v Tottenham Tips

Jack Grealish anytime scorer @ 3.9
Both teams to score in second half YES @ 3