Tottenham v Man City Bet Builder Prediction : Cards and goals likely with Harry Kane speculation rumbling

Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday in a 4:30pm kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs will compete in their first game under Nuno Espirito Santo, who departed Wolves for north London during the summer, but it is unclear whether Harry Kane will feature having returned to training late in an attempt to force through a transfer to Man City.

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Pep Guardiola’s side could be without several first-team players due to a combination of injuries and match fitness, which was the case in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester in the Community Shield.

The Citizens are still 3/5 favourites to win the match, though, with the draw 16/5 and a Spurs win 9/2.

With so much uncertainty around both teams’ selections, it’s a difficult match to call, especially given that Tottenham have won both of their last two home games against Man City Betbuilder v Leeds.

It seems unlikely that Kane will start having not featured at all since England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, but Son Heung-min is always a thorn in Man City’s side and Lucas Moura, Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn have all looked sharp in pre-season.

The last four league meetings have seen two or more goals scored and I think that could be the way to go here, with Man City surely due to end their goalscoring drought at Tottenham’s new ground.

Likewise, I’m happy to back cards given that there have been 16 shown in the last four games between these two sides.

Anthony Taylor was more reluctant to go to his pocket last season, averaging 2.75 cards per PL game compared to a career average of 3.31, but fans back in the ground should help on that front.

Two usual card suspects have been boosted to a 9/1 double over on Betfair/Paddy Power.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was booked nine times in 38 PL games for Tottenham last season, averaging 2.6 tackles and 1.8 fouls per game.

Fernandinho, who was booked against Leicester last weekend, received nine cards in 30 PL appearances for Man City.

Both central midfielders – if they start – are likely to have a busy time with so much talent for both sides combining between the lines.

Central defenders Ruben Dias and Cristian Romero, who received 36 cards in 88 appearances during his time in Serie A, are two other candidates to certainly consider in the player card market, although Romero may not start having only recent signed from Atalanta.

It’s unclear who will start at right-back between Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty and Serge Aurier, but if Jack Grealish makes his debut on Man City’s left flank, it’ll be worth backing which ever right-back received the nod from Nuno.

I suspect it will be Doherty given their success together at Wolves, with the Republic of Ireland big odds at 5/1 (bet365).

He never looks entirely comfortable at right-back as opposed to right wing-back, with his 1.2 fouls per game last season considerably higher than during his time at Wolves.

Selections:

Both Teams To Receive A Card, Over 0 Goals for Man City & Over 1 Goals For Both Teams Combined @ EVS (bet365)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg & Fernandinho to be carded @ 9/1 (Betfair/Paddy Power)

Matt Doherty to be carded @ 5/1 (bet365)