This weekend’s main event in the Premier League sees Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspur. The two teams are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to recent form and it’s no surprise that a City victory is the go-to bet in Betfair’s Football…Only Bettor podcast.
Guardiola’s side look unstoppable at the moment having won 15 straight games in all competitions. This is a run that has broke the previous record of 14 straight wins set by Preston in 1891-92 and equalled by Arsenal in 1987.
Last weekend, City outplayed defending champions Liverpool at Anfield and betting analyst Mark O’Haire gives all the credit to Guardiola.
Speaking on Betfair’s Football…Only Bettor podcast, he said: “First of all, I think Pep Guardiola deserves a huge amount of respect and credit for what was achieved last weekend in terms of masterminding that performance and that approach with the false nine.
“Foden up against Fabinho and then Sterling and Bernardo as well, befuddling that make-shift Liverpool defence. It’s just a reincarnation of a tired looking team in the autumn to where they are now.
“I hold my hands up – I doubted him. I doubted his team. I was sceptical about their recent run of results. I was sceptical about his ability to turn it around because they did look stale, they did look tired. They didn’t look like they were going anywhere in particular.
“Now, he’s refocused the team altogether. It’s not just defence, where Stones’ career has been resurrected, but it’s also this hybrid full-back midfield role for Cancelo which was highlighted on Monday night football.
“Ilkay Gundogan – converting him back into a dynamic attacking goal scoring midfielder. Integrating Foden into the XI and doing it all without De Bruyne and Aguero is just magnificent.
“Compare and contrast with what Spurs are doing. They started the season containing, countering, score first, score early, shut up shop and hope for the best.
“Then as soon as teams worked out how Harry Kane was influencing teams in his role, they looked out of ideas, looked to struggle in terms of how they’re going to hurt teams. They’re rarely scoring first and they’re making little impact when chasing games either.
“Look at their record against the top half. Five defeats in eight against teams above them. Liverpool and Chelsea beat them with room to spare in the past fortnight as well.
“I still think Spurs and Mourinho will come to set up and defend and try to play on the counter attack. It’s worked really well for Mourinho against City in recent matches.”
Mark has tipped City to win and under 3.5 goals at around evens. You can hear more tips and more insight from Mark, Kevin Hatchard and Jake Osgathorpe on the latest edition of Betfair’s Football…Only Bettor podcast.
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