Manchester City should be confident heading into their Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, despite the hosts being boosted by their move to a new stadium.
That is the view of former Manchester United striker Michael Owen and former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas, both of whom expect Pep Guardiola’s side to sweep aside their Premier League rivals.
City play the first leg at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday, before hosting the Lilywhites at the Etihad Stadium eight days later and stand among the favourites to go all the way in the competition.
A trip to face Spurs , rejuvenated by their recent move, is not easy though but Nicholas believes City can pick apart Mauricio Pochettino’s side on the counter attack.
“Man City are getting the job done. Tottenham have got the glamour of the new stadium and this should be a spectacular night. They are an attack-minded side. Do they have to win the football match? Probably not,” he told Sky Sports .
“It is how Tottenham use their aggressive nature of their pressing. They may try to force it so I think Manchester City will pick them off.
“Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero will play, so do Tottenham go for a back three or back four? I think they will go to a back three. The form of Kevin De Bruyne gives City an edge at the moment.”
Five things noticed as Man City train at Tottenham's new stadium prior to Champions League clash
Owen is also backing City to secure a win and believes that Pep Guardiola will claim his own piece of history in the process.
“The first ever European meeting between the clubs and I feel it will be advantage City after Tuesday’s tie at White Hart Lane,” he wrote for BetVictor .
“City have been pulling up few trees in recent games, but they have been doing more than enough to maintain their challenge for what would be an unprecedented four major trophies.
“City have won 11 of the last 16 games played between the sides – all in the Premier League – and I expect them to take a lead back to the Etihad next week.
Why Man City boss Pep Guardiola is frustrated about failure to recognise his team's trophy haul
“Pep Guardiola has won 26 knockout Champions League ties – the record currently stands at 27 held jointly by Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. I expect City’s Spanish boss to join that illustrious group midweek.”
Both pundits also believe the side waiting for the winners of the all Premier League tie will be Juventus, as the pair have tipped the Italian champions to win their first leg against Ajax.
Man City forward Raheem Sterling responds to Player of the Year talk
