UCL Quarterfinal Tottenham vs Man City Leg 1 Odds & Picks

• Tottenham take on Man City in their first European game in their new home
• Man City are favorites to win the UEFA Champions League
• Pep Guardiola is on a quest for four trophies

It’s always a special night when two English clubs clash in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. The prize on offer is massive whoever is contesting it, but when a domestic rivalry spills over into European football there’s an electricity that sets it apart from other similar contests.

Tottenham stars get first taste of new stadium ahead of Crystal Palacehttps://t.co/8i1T6VeB2K pic.twitter.com/mH1XTf9nkK

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) March 29, 2019

That Tottenham vs Man City on April 9th will be only the second game to be played in Tottenham’s magnificent new stadium adds an extra dimension – one that will resonate throughout the whole of English football.

Tottenham vs Manchester City Odds

*Odds taken 04/02/19

With City favorites to lift the trophy, and Tottenham outsiders, there is a major need for Spurs to settle quickly in their new home. There is literally no room for teething troubles and a slow start.

Spurs’ Defence is Key

For Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, it will be very much a case of trying to recreate the solidity and spirit his side showed in their tricky-looking round-of-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.

"The stadium is the best in the world." 🏅🌍@SpursOfficial manager Mauricio Pochettino cannot wait to get started at the club's new ground: https://t.co/tAfTiL1Zi9 pic.twitter.com/bnbdLnl71A

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 29, 2019

Despite the Germans being favorites to go through, in the first leg at Wembley, Spurs survived a difficult first-half before unleashing a blistering second-half that saw them score three times – goals from Son Heung-min,  Jan Vertonghen, and Fernando Llorente.

Success in Dortmund

There was still a job to do in the second-leg but despite the fearsome Dortmund “Yellow Wall” making a thunderous wall of sound, Tottenham handled the situation superbly and came away with a 1-0 win, with Harry Kane scoring the only goal.

More of the same will be needed if Spurs are to ruin City’s dream of winning four major trophies in one season.

City Up for Quadruple

Man City have already won the Carabao Cup – English football’s “second” cup – and are well placed to win both the Premier League (they are two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand) and the FA Cup (they have an upcoming semi-final against Brighton).

Pep Guardiola tells Man City players to enjoy the 'privilege' of chasing an historic quadruple

By @mjcritchley https://t.co/imgJ7BpyYB

— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) March 30, 2019

Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, has the quadruple in his sights and so will be keen for his side to depart north London with something, be that a draw or a win or, at the very least, an away goal. If they can do that he will fancy their chances of getting the job done at the Etihad stadium one week later.

Aguero and Sterling on Fire

Much will, as ever, depend on how Tottenham can contain the attacking threat of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, both of whom are having the season of their lives. With a midfield that contains, among others, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, they play in a style that is not only aesthetically pleasing but which also creates loads of goal scoring opportunities.

Have a look, take a touch, hit it early − the sublime predictability of Sergio Aguero

By @JackPittBrooke https://t.co/PGaDDgyJvq

— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) March 30, 2019

Poch’s Conundrum

Pochettino prefers a back-four, but it’s conceivable that in order to quell the City threat, he may decide to play a back three of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez, and utilize wing-backs instead of full-backs. Either way, Tottenham call ill afford to lose this tie, and we can see them being inspired by a passionate home crowd desperate to make their new stadium a cauldron of noise.

We can see this being a tight one, with neither side willing to commit too many numbers forward.

For Man City’s part, they will look to keep England skipper Harry Kane quiet, and with it being only the first leg we can see this being a tight one, with neither side willing to commit too many numbers forward. We’re therefore expecting a low-scoring match, maybe 1-1.

Pick: Draw (+280)