Part two to live up to its billing
With Spurs holding the advantage going into the return leg in Manchester, City know what they need to do to do to keep their Quadruple hopes alive. But could this play into the hands of the visitors too?
Take two: action
The first encounter of this tightly packed trilogy was tense and tetchy in spells last Tuesday night but this match is set up to deliver goals. My feeling is, how can it not? Man City have to score at least two to progress and they’ll want to get to task from the off. You could argue they need to.
The Citizens cannot allow Spurs to settle and for their confidence to grow. Pochettino’s side showed their ability to dig in and limit their opposition as recent as a couple of weeks ago at Anfield. They managed to stay in touch with Liverpool for the most part of their league encounter and you can expect Poch to employ similar tactics at the Etihad too.
Guardiola will need his side to combat any resistance by allowing his players to show their attacking instincts early, if they're to win the tie.
Striking starts
City certainly aren’t strangers to showing their hand early on in the big games at the Etihad. Quick goals against Man United and Arsenal set City on their way - as early as the first minute when the Gunners visited in fact - and let's not forget the first half blitzing of Chelsea in February.
It's no surprise to see the Citizens lead the way in terms of the number of first half league goals scored at home (27). In Europe too, Pep has seen his side make the most of the opening 45.
Two goals in the first 25 minutes did for Hoffenheim while even some stubborn defending from Schalke in the round previous eventually see the German outfit succumb to three goals in seven minutes before the half time whistle blew.
Ideal situation for Spurs?
Spurs have been written off at various stages of this competition. I, like many I suspect, are expecting their plucky European effort to finally come to an end at the quarter final stage. This said it’ll be no surprise to see them cause no end of problems for the hosts if given the space.
It could even be argued the match situation actually plays into the hands of the visitors who may be afforded the opportunity to capitalize on City’s need to go for goals.
Yes, they haven’t got Harry Kane’s prolific right boot to rely on but Son and Luca Moura have both stepped up in their skipper’s absence to prove their worth. I think it’s safe to say Spurs will be looking to get to half time with their clean sheet still intact but the quality is there to strike should the opportunity present itself.
Man City vs. Spurs betting tip
This is one European night at the Etihad I see the fans and City being up for from the very beginning, maybe because it’ll feel like a Premier League game in the case of the supporters.
I expect that energy to transcend to the players on the pitch and help play its part in a fast and furious first 45 minutes. With this in mind, Over 1.5 first half goals is well worthy of a punt at 5/4.
