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Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Saturday 14th August 2010
Kick-off 1245
Revenge is a dish that is best served cold and City will be hoping to serve up their own, special recipe when they visit White Hart lane for the season opener.
It was Spurs who ended City’s bid for a fourth place finish when Peter Crouch scored to give them a 1-0 win at Eastlands in May but the blues will be confident of taking something from North London.
City have again invested heavily in the transfer market and will be looking to new signings Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Aleksander Kolarov to push City into the promised land of the top four and Champions League qualification.
Spurs will get a taste of what City want with a qualifying game against Swiss side Young Boys and have been linked with a host of City names over the summer, most notably Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Micah Richards.
Key Opponent – Jermain Defoe
The striker scored England’s goal in the win over Slovenia in the World Cup and is one of the most dangerous strikers around. City will need to keep him quiet if they are to take anything from North London.
Teams News:
City have an embarrassment of riches to choose from but the big question will be who he chooses between the sticks with Joe Hart challenging the fit again Shay Given. New signings Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Aleksander Kolarov are expected to make their debuts while Mario Balotelli will miss the game.
Spurs have injury problems with Jonathon Woodgate, Jamie O’Hara and David Bentley all missing the game.
Officials:
Referee: Andre Mariner
Assistants: Phil Sharp & Andy Newbold
Fourth Official: Peter Walton
OTBM Match Predictions
I am going for a stalemate in Saturday’s opener. I think both teams will attack and defend equally well so I’m going for a 2-2 draw.
Columnist Brian Roban
Like many city fans I’m excited and nervous about the early Saturday and first match of the 10/11 season. Last season Spurs did the double on us and the home game putting the coffin nail into forth place and champions league spot. This been fresh in the players mind and being the first game of the new campaign I believe City will go all out to shake off the ghost of Christmas past and show the anti city critics what is in store for the future. Spurs are no easy task at White Hart Lane, Harry has built and moulded a strong midfield and defence and with so many attacking options which we seen at Eastlands, every long ball Given drove up a Spurs player was there on it. If City can keep control of the midfield we certainly have the fire power up front to the damage.
While my heart and dreams at night tells Me City will win 4-0, my brain says Rodney Marsh’s prediction of a 1-1 draw could be nearer the result. Going down to London I’m sure Mancini may well take a draw where it offered before kick off as he knows Tottenham are a force to be reckoned with. All that been said City have the players now. The players and city fans alike need the belief that it can and will be done. Last season was a roller coaster of a ride at times but City were up there and this season with the new signings helping in the quality and depth of the squad it can spur ( excuse the pun ) us on to that coveted top 4 spot, and who knows but sure dreamt about a serious run at the title.
C’mon City.
Brian’s Prediction: 1-1
Columnist Callum Rothwell
I think the game will be very tough, I think Tottenham will be up for it, but both teams have a lot to lose. This game could decide 4th place already, and so a defeat for either team will be devastating. I think Tottenham will start off the better side, but we’ll get back into it towards the end of the first half, and snatch a 1-0 lead through Adebayor. Then I think the game will be more open in the second half, but City too strong and win 2-0, the other through Yaya Toure.
Callum’s Prediction: A 2-0 win for City
Columnist Jake Hartley
The hugely anticipated opening clash with Tottenham is just days away after a long wait. I feel the game is going to be quite close as neither side will want to lose the opening fixture of the season. For City to win, I think a lot will depend on the fitness of the players returning from international duties and also if the new additions will fit comfortable into the premier league game. Personally, I would be happy with a draw, but if we want to be fighting to break into the champion’s league then to sneak a win would be great so early on in the season.
Jake’s Prediction – Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 1 Manchester City (Emmanuel Adebayor)
OTBM Regular Contributor Doe
This is a huge game for us considering how we lost out on 4th place to them last season, I expect nothing less than a 1-1 draw. But just like any blue, I’m completely aware and willing to be bias and predict a 1-2 win for city. No doubt there will be goals in this one; it’s just Harry’s style. The enigma is really how city will come out and play and I hope that will raise a few eyebrows.
Doe’s Prediction: A 2-1 win for City
OTBM Regular Contributor Real Mancs Are Blue
I predict a win for Tottenham. Our record against the Spuds is poor to say the least; in fact we have lost more time to them than any other club since the premiership began.
Combine the facts we will be fielding a team that has barely played together, Carlos Tevez once again whinging that he isn’t enjoying football and a defence that has barely played against premier league opposition, its going to be a tough game.
The battle worth watching will be Kolorov Vs Aaron Lennon, it will certainly give an indication of how well Kolorov will fair this season.
RMAB’s Prediction: I predict Tottenham to win 2-0
What do you think? Agree with our predictions or have one of your own? Let us know your thoughts.
In fact, as well as Fantasy Football, let’s start a predictions league. 3 points for a spot on score, one for the correct result but incorrect score. We’ll work out a league table somehow. All predictions must be received 5 minutes prior to kick off.
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