Four of the Premier League’s top five clash on Sunday in what could be one of the most significant weekends of the season so far, not least because of the extraordinary results we witnessed in the reverse fixtures last August.
Back last summer, with the league only three games old, City crushed Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane while Manchester ran riot at Old Trafford, destroying an inexperienced Gunners line-up 8-2.
It is perhaps no surprise then that the two Manchester clubs have led the way for much of the season. But their north London rivals have recovered from those early setbacks to rise back into contention too. Revenge, as well as Premier League points, will be in the minds of Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp.
Manchester City’s clash with Spurs was already a significant encounter, but the game at the Etihad has been made even bigger after the two managers traded pre-match barbs (Man City 10/11 draw 11/4 Spurs 3/1).
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp claims City’s rapid rise up the Premier League table in recent seasons in purely down to the generous backing of owner Sheikh Mansour, rather than any managerial skill by Roberto Mancini.
When told of Redknapp’s comments Mancini didn’t mince his words either, responding: “Harry can borrow money from us if he does not have it. If you have a chance to buy good players – you do.
“We have spent in two years to catch up, were we meant to take 10? For Spurs or Manchester United it’s different. When you’re always at the top you only change two or three players every year.”
The war of words between the two respective managers merely adds extra spice to what should be already feisty encounter, with Spurs just five points behind table-topping City in third (A repeat of City’s 5-1 win is priced at 66/1).
City have a formidable league record at the Etihad Stadium, having not lost there in the Premier League for 13 months, winning their last 15 in a row and conceding just six in their last 17 league games in east Manchester.
However, they have lost their last two cup encounters, against Liverpool in the Carling Cup and Manchester United in the FA Cup. Throw in their last gasp defeat to Sunderland on New Years Day, and City have lost three out of their last five in all competitions.
Injuries, suspensions and the upcoming African Nations have stretched even City’s expensively assembled squad, who are showing the first signs of vulnerability after a previously perfect start to the season.
Tottenham meanwhile have lost just once in the league since that their hammering by City and know a win at the Etihad would lift them – for a few hours at least – above Manchester United into second and just two points off the top (Tottenham to win 1-0 17/2).
It appears to be as good a time as any to take on Mancini’s men, though Spurs will be without Emmanuel Adebayor under the terms of his loan deal from City, giving Jermain Defoe a rare chance to start (Defoe 15/2 to score first).
Tottenham have hit 18 goals away from home so far this season – the fourth highest in the division – while City have scored 31 on their home soil, meaning the +2.5 goals is a value bet at 8/11.
Both sides know they cannot afford to lose this one which is why the tip is to go for a score draw, with 2-2 priced at 14/1.
Arsenal meanwhile go into their game with United on the back of two straight defeats, further denting their hopes of a late title surge (Arsenal 7/4, United 8/5, draw 23/10).
The Gunners have been ravaged by injuries, most notably in the full back positions, with Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Andre Santos all unavailable.
Thomas Vermaelen is also out; Jack Wilshere remains a few weeks away from a possible return while there are doubts over Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry.
The memories of that 8-2 mauling will no doubt still be fresh in the mind, though boss Wenger will be perhaps keen to remind them of the fixture at the Emirates last season, when Aaron Ramsey’s goal gave the Gunners a 1-0 win (a 1-0 Arsenal win is priced at 13/2).
Manchester United meanwhile have the best away record in the division, though they did crash 3-0 at Newcastle in their previous league game away from Old Trafford.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones look set to return to boost a defence that has been uncharacteristically leaky so far this campaign, but with the likes Young, Fletcher, Anderson and Cleverly all out, their midfield remains a concern.
With the sheer amount of injuries between both sides expect a far from vintage display, but the value bet perhaps being +2.5 goals priced at 4/5 and a 2-1 United win priced at 17/2.
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The Champions League is already at Matchday Four this week, with big group games for all the English sides as they chase qualification. Firstly, we preview the action involving Arsenal and Chelsea on Tuesday night.
The Premier League throws up two London derbies on Sunday afternoon – at Craven Cottage and White Hart Lane – while 11/2 title shots Chelsea travel to Bolton and new boys Swansea entertain Stoke City.
There is plenty of action in the Premier League on Sunday in particular with the two tasty looking ties involving Manchester and North London as the north west giants look to maintain their 100 percent start to the season.