Sunday, January 22 – Etihad Stadium
It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Manchester City, who are learning quickly that life as the Premier League’s front runner is not easy. Teams are aiming up against them now. Calendars are circled weeks in advance. Major rivals are playing with extra passion, and contests can be bitter. In recent weeks they suffered back to back Cup losses (at home no less) to Manchester United and Liverpool. The days of wine and roses may well be coming, but they are not here yet.
What they face now is a tense battle to retain the top spot on the table. To that end they face a significant challenge this weekend, taking on a white-hot Tottenham outfit that is currently in third, and looking for all intents and purposes to be the only club capable of stopping a one of the teams from Manchester from taking out the title. The stakes are high and the pressure is on. Can the Spurs carry the flag for the rest of the competition? Or will City put down the upstarts?
I think we are in for a classic here. City embarrassed Tottenham when they first met this season in a result that did not sit well with the club. Since then Harry Redknapp has clawed and scraped his way into the top four, and for the first time in a looooong time, the Spurs have a small window where they can stake a genuine title claim. It may just be the double espresso talking, but I think they are going to. Put me down for an upset that will blow this season wide open. Gareth Bale to score for the visitors.
Away (Tottenham), Bale, 2-1
The Shirtman
PS – If you do not submit your tips prior to kick off you will be credited with The Shirtman’s score.
